I'm a bit surprised by that draw...is it really an open lottery, the 1st round draw? Japan, the hosts have by chance drawn the tourny's weakest team in Russia (well arguably weakest), We have Fiji, but NZ and SA??? They must be cursing. You need your best team in play but injury risks are high in that game i'd guess...any key injuries there may well dictate the outcome of the whole tournament.
Anyway what are our predictions...
I'd hope for first round results showing pool A winners and second as Ireland Scotland (but Japan may well sneak in if Finn Russell isn't firing for Scotland).
Pool B should be NZ, and SA 2nd
Pool C all depends on the French mood, but I'm going for England , then Argentina
Pool D will be Australia Wales in either order. Maybe Australia1?
so...
England vs wales = England (ofc)
NZ vs Japan or Scotland = NZ
OZ vs Argetina = OZ
Ireland vs SA...? either way. Let's guess Ireland, No. 1 in the world must count for something.
Then it's England vs NZ
and OZ vs Ireland
and then ofc, England lifts the cup.