2019 Rugby World Cup Group C Odds Give France and Argentina a Fighting Chance to Beat England

• England, France, and Argentina have the best odds to win Group C at the 2019 Rugby World Cup
• The USA and Tonga round out the quintet
• Are the Three Lions undervalued at just -225?

For nearly four years, England has sought to expunge the 2015 Rugby World Cup from their memory banks.

That’s a sad notion, considering England played host to the event. But when they crashed out in the group stage for the first time in RWC history, the bloom came off the English rose. If they’re not careful, a similar fate could await the English later this year in Japan.

Three of the top 10 teams on the planet – England (#4), France (#8) and Argentina (#10) – are all housed in Group C for the 2019 RWC, the so-called Group of Death.

2019 Rugby World Cup Odds

*Odds taken on 07/17/19.

One of these three international powers will be packing up early and heading home. The sportsbooks don’t think that it will be England this time. The English are rated as -225 favorites to win the pool in the Rugby World Cup odds.

But France (+350) and Argentina (+450) aren’t find behind, so England won’t want to make any missteps.

England won the 2003 RWC. France has lost three times in the final – in 2011, 1999, and 1987. Argentina reached the semifinals in 2015 and 2007.

England

The English finished second in the 2019 Six Nations, posting a 3-1-1 record. Included in that mark was a crushing 44-8 verdict over France.

In 2018, England faced three of the four 2015 RWC semifinalists. The English posted wins over Australia (37-18) and South Africa (12-11) and narrowly lost to New Zealand (16-15).

France

The French are the rugby version of Forrest Gump’s box of chocolates. Every time they take the pitch, you never know what you’re going to get. They were 2-3 at the 2019 Six Nations, losing to England, Ireland and Wales.

In the 2011 RWC, France was drubbed 37-17 by New Zealand in pool play. The same two countries clashed in the final and New Zealand desperatately hung on for an 8-7 win.

France has reached the knockout stage of every RWC, something England and Argentina can’t say.

Argentina

Los Pumas are always a dangerous opponent. They’ve beaten England four times and toppled France on 14 occasions.

Last season, Argentina posted wins over South Africa (32-19) and Australia (23-19). The Argentines beat Ireland in the quarterfinals at the 2015 RWC before falling to the Aussies in the semifinals.

Tonga

They’ve never advanced beyond pool play but the Tongans have won at least one game in five of the past six Rugby World Cups.

They’ve twice beaten France in international test matches. Argentina defeated Tonga 45-16 at the 2015 RWC.

USA

With their athleticism and large pool to draw players from, the Americans are usually good for one or two spectacular plays every match. But they simply don’t have the talent or experience to run with the world’s best for 80 minutes.

The USA is 1-11 over the past three Rugby World Cups. Their lone victory was a 13-6 decision over Russia in 2011.

Group C Prediction

1. England
2. Argentina
3. France
4. Tonga
5. USA