The group of death will see one of the teams that would have banked on a quarterfinal appearance fall away after the group stage.
Coach Eddie Jones’s England should win this pool, but they will know that a slip-up against either France or Argentina is a real possibility.
Those two teams can beat any team on their day, making them massive threats.
Both the Argies and the French are historically dangerous World Cup teams and to see one of the true dark horses exiting this tournament early will be painful.
But who will it be?
England
World ranking: 3
Best World Cup:
Winners 2003
Key players:
England have one of the best backlines in the world. With Ben Youngs controlling things behind the base of the scrum, with Owen Farrell calling the shots, they also have the dangerous Manu Tuilagi to call on. In Elliot Daly, Johnny May and Anthony Watson they have a dangerous back three.
Their forwards, too, pack a punch, but with only one specialist No.8 in Billy Vunipola – with Mark Wilson able to fill in at that position, they need Vunipola to last at the tournament. And they need him to be at his best.
Prediction:
England started like a house on fire under Eddie Jones, winning a world record-equalling 18 matches in a row up until 2017.
But then the wheels came off the following year, with England finishing the Six Nations Championship in fifth place.
They improved since, finishing in second place this year. Still, Jones will not be satisfied with getting close and will have a few aces up his sleeve at the tournament. England are real contenders for the title.
Squad:
Dan Cole, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Tom Curry, Ellis Genge, Jamie George, Maro Itoje, George Kruis, Joe Launchbury, Courtney Lawes, Lewis Ludlam, Joe Marler, Kyle Sinckler, Jack Singleton, Sam Underhill, Billy Vunipola, Mako Vunipola, Mark Wilson, Joe Cokanasiga, Elliot Daly, Owen Farrell (captain), George Ford, Piers Francis, Willi Heinz, Jonathan Joseph, Jonny May, Ruaridh McConnochie, Jack Nowell, Henry Slade, Manu Tuilagi, Anthony Watson, Ben Youngs.
Argentina
World ranking: 11
Best World Cup:
3rd place in 2007
Key players:
Hooker Agustin Creevy will be the heartbeat of the engine room, he will be tasked with getting under the skins of the opposition.
While their forwards have struggled at set piece this year, they are mobile and will look to play running rugby.
The man controlling the game for them, flyhalf Nicolas Sanchez, therefore will be a key player.
Also watch out for exciting winger Bautista Delguy.
%%%twitter https://twitter.com/lospumas?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@lospumas
Sanchez sits third on the all-time Argentina World Cup points list. He looks certain to add to his 97 points from seven matches as he suits up for his third RWC appearance. #RWC2019 pic.twitter.com/IVxss7jAeF
— Super Rugby/TRC (@SuperRugby)
Prediction:
The Pumas’ ranking of 11th is deceiving. The South Americans have dropped because they play against strong southern hemisphere opposition.
After making it to the final of Super Rugby, disguised as the Jaguares, the Pumas ran out of steam in the Rugby Championship.
But they would have enjoyed the break before the World Cup and a rejuvenated Argentina team will again be a force at the global showpiece. Their match against France will be one of the biggest of the round-robin stage.
Squad:
Nahuel Tetaz Chapparo, Mayco Vivas, Agustin Creevy, Julian Montoya, Santiago Socino, Juan Figallo, Santiago Medrano, Enrique Pieretto, Guido Petti, Tomas Lavanini, Matias Alemanno, Pablo Matera (Matera), Tomas Lezana, Javier Ortega Desio, Marcos Kremer, Rodrigo Bruni, Juan Manuel Leguizamon, Tomas Cubelli, Felipe Ezcurra, Nicolas Sanchez, Benjamin Urdapilleta, Jeronimo de la Fuente, Matias Orlando, Matias Moroni, Lucas Mensa, Juan Cruz Mallia, Ramiro Moyano, Bautista Delguy, Emiliano Boffelli, Joaquin Tuculet.
EXCITING: Winger Bautista Delguy. Photo: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix.
France
World ranking: 8
Best World Cup:
Finalists 1987, 1999, 2011
Key player:
No Morgan Parra and no Mathieu Bastareaud, the French team has a fresh look to it.
They have struggled with ill-discipline off the field in recent months, meaning they need a strong leader to control the players and bring some professionalism to the squad.
In steps hooker and leader Guilhem Guirado, and No.8 Louis Picamoles.
Also watch out for young fylhalf-cum-centre Romain
Ntamack and scrumhalf Antoine Dupont, while Wesley Fofana will undoubtedly play a big role for the French.
PROFESSIONAL: Guilhem Guirado brings some professionalism to the French national rugby team. Photo: Gonzalo Fuentes/Reuters.
Prediction:
Three-time finalists, France are still in search of that big win.
Traditionally a team feared the world over for their unpredictability, the French have not been at their best in recent years.
Having never failed to make the playoffs at World Cups, they usually save their best for this tournament.
This year they will be tested, though, and should be wary of the threat coming from Argentina.
Squad:
Gregory Alldritt, Demba Bamba, Yacouba Camara, Camille Chat, Virimi Vakatawa, Antoine Dupont, Gaël Fickou, Wesley Fofana, Paul Gabrillagues, Guilhem Guirado (captain), Yoann Huget, Arther Iturria, Félix Lambey, Wencesles Laurent, Bernard le Roux, Camille Lopez, Maxime Medard, Peato Mauvaka, Maxime Machenaud, Romain Ntamack, Damian Penaud, Louis Picamoles, Jefferson Poitor, Dany Priso, Alivereti Raka, Thomas Ramos, Baptiste Serin, Emerick Setiano, Rabah Slimani, Sébastien Vahaamahina.
USA
World ranking: 13
Best World Cup:
Pool stage (all except 1995)
Key player:
Watch out for ex-Stormers centre Marcel Brache, who will play at his first World Cup since making his USA debut in 2016.
%%%twitter https://twitter.com/brache87?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@brache87) recreate this magic for @USARugby Saturday vs. @Scotlandteam? #USAvsScotland pic.twitter.com/HWei9kNsq6
— FloRugby (@FloRugby)
Prediction:
The USA fifteens team is not as strong as their Sevens counterparts. Wouldn’t it have been nice if they had speedsters Perry Baker and Carlin Isles trying their hand at the XVs game?
Instead, they will rely coach Gary Gold to possibly spring a surprise. They won’t get to the playoffs though.
Squad:
David Ainu’u, Malon Al-Jiboori, Nate Brakeley, Nick Civetta, Cam Dolan, Dylan Fawsitt, Eric Fry, Hanco Germishuys, James Hilterbrand, Olive Kilifi, Tony Lamborn, Titi Lamositele, Ben Landry, Paul Mullen, Gregory Peterson, Ben Pinkelman, John Quill, Joseph Taufete’e, Blaine Scully (captain), Nate Augspurger, Marcel Brache, Bryce Campbell, Shaun Davies, Ruben De Haas, Will Hooley, Martin Iosefo, Paul Lasike, AJ MacGinty, Will Magie, Thretton Palamo, Mike Te’o.
Tonga
World ranking: 15
Best World Cup:
Pool stage (all except 1991)
Key player:
Scrumhalf Sonatane Takulua, is the playmaker in the side and will have to be watched carefully by their opponents as he is not scared to break around the fringes.
PLAYMAKER: Scrumhalf Sonatane Takulua. Photo: Lee Smith/Reuters.
Prediction:
They suffered a humiliating defeat to the All Blacks last weekend, which no doubt would have dented their confidence heading into the tournament.
Still capable of producing the goods when they are “on”, Tonga’s best bet will be a win over the US, with the South Sea nation feeding the likes of New Zealand, Australia and England in recent years.
Squad:
Siegfried Fisihoii, Vunipola Fifita, Latu Talakai, Paula Ngauamo, Sosefo Sakalia, Siua Maile, Siua Halanukonuka, Ma’afu Fia, Ben Tameifuna, Sam Lousi, Leva Fifita, Stitveni Mafi, Sione Kalamafoni, Maama Vaipulu, Fotu Lokotui, Zane Kapeli, Dan Faleafa, Nasi Manu, Sonatane Takulua, Leon Fukofuka, Samisoni Fisilau, Kurt Morath, James Faiva, Siale Piutau (captain), Malietoa Hingano, Nafi Tuitavake, Atieli Pakalani, David Halaifonua, Viliami Lolohea, Cooper Vuna, Telusa Veainu.
Pool C Fixtures:
September
- 21: France v Argentina (9.15am)
- 22: England v Tonga (12.15pm)
- 26: England v USA (12.45pm)
- 28: Argentina v Tonga (6.45am)
October
- 2: France v USA (9.45am)
- 5: England v Argentina (10am)
- 6: France v Tonga (9.45pm)
- 9: Argentina v USA (6.45am)
- 12: England v France (10.15am)
- 13: USA v Tonga (7.45am)