Rugby World Cup Group A Odds Favor Ireland to Finish First at -400
- Ireland are -400 favorites to win Group A at the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan
- Scotland, Japan, Samoa and Russia round out the group
- Ireland beat Scotland 22-13 in the 2019 Six Nations Tournament
In eight World Cups, Ireland have reached the knockout stage seven times. But the Irish have never won a match thereafter, going 0-7 in quarterfinal play.
Scotland may not carry Ireland’s consistency on to the pitch but at the 1991 Rugby World Cup, the Scottish did reach the semifinals.
Both old rivals are competing in Group A at the 2019 Rugby World Cup, a pool that also includes Samoa, Russia and host Japan.
2019 Rugby World Cup Odds
| Team | 2019 Rugby World Cup Group A Odds |
|---|---|
| Ireland | -400 |
| Scotland | +325 |
| Japan | +2000 |
| Samoa | +20000 |
| Russia | +50000 |
*Odds taken on 07/12/19.
Ireland (+500) are given the best chance of any country in the group to take the title in the 2019 Rugby World Cup odds.
The two top teams in the group advance to the knockout stages of the tournament.
Ireland
On form, the Irish are capable of beating any team in the world. Last November in Dublin, Ireland posted an impressive 16-9 verdict over world #1 New Zealand. At the time, people were ready to anoint the Irish as the best team on the planet.
A few months later, Ireland lost decisively to England (32-20) and Wales (21-13) at the Six Nations.
That’s the way the Irish work. At the 2015 Rugby World Cup, Ireland stormed to a 4-0 record in pool play, whipping 2011 RWC runner up France 25-9. In the quarterfinals they took a spectacular pratfall and were drubbed 43-20 by Argentina.
Scotland
The Scottish get to set the tone for their tournament right off the bat, tangling with group favorites Ireland in their opener. In their only previous meeting with the Irish at the RWC, Scotland were 24-15 winners. But that was in 1991.
Perhaps more significantly in terms of advancing to the knockout round, Scotland is a combined 7-0 in RWC play against Japan (3-0), Samoa (3-0) and Russia (1-0).
Japan
The Japanese showed what they are capable of in the 2015 RWC, stunning eventual semifinalist South Africa 34-32 in pool play. But a 45-10 loss to Scotland in their next match ultimately cost the Japanese a chance to advance.
Playing in front of their home fans, they’ll be a dangerous foe. Scotland and Japan square off Oct. 13 at Yokohama in the final group match for both sides. The winner will likely be off to the knockout stages.
Samoa
There was a time when the Samoans could stand and go toe-to-toe with any nation but that was a long time ago. The Samoans reached the quarterfinals in three of the first four RWC but have failed get past the group stage ever since.
Samoa’s all-time record against Scotland (1-9-1) and Ireland (1-5) won’t help their cause. The Samoans lost 25-6 to Japan at the 2015 RWC.
Russia
Considered a Tier B team on the world stage, this is the second time Russia has qualified for the RWC. The Russians went 0-4 in 2011, including a 62-12 loss to Ireland.
Group A Prediction
1st: Ireland
2nd: Scotland
3rd: Japan
4th: Samoa
5th: Russia
SBD’s 2019 Rugby World Cup Coverage
- Group A: Rugby World Cup Group A Odds Favor Ireland to Finish First at -400
- Group B: Favorite New Zealand Has -1000 Odds to Win Group B
- Group C: 2019 Rugby World Cup Group C Odds Give France and Argentina a Fighting Chance to Beat England
- Group D: Wales Narrowly Favored Over Australia in Group D Odds at 2019 World Cup
An industry veteran, Bob literally taught the course on the history of sports at Elder College. He has worked as a Sports Columnist for Postmedia, appeared as a guest on several radio stations, was the Vice President of the Society For International Hockey Research in Ontario, and written 25 books.
