World Cup Warm-Ups

[Lizard]

So the World Cup kicks off in exactly 4 months. I thought it might be useful to have a list of all the participants’ test matches and other warm-ups to be played before then. I’m sure there will be some I’ve missed, so let me know.

2 June 2019:
England v Barbarians

4 June:
Namibia v Argentina XV (NC)
Uruguay v Russia (NC)

9 June:
Argentina XV v Russia (NC)
Uruguay v Namibia (NC)

15 June:
Namibia v Russia (NC)
Uruguay v Argentina XV (NC)

22 June: Uruguay v Spain

13 July: Fiji v Māori All Blacks

20-21 July:
Māori All Blacks v Fiji
South Africa v Australia (RC)
Argentina v New Zealand (RC)

27 July:
New Zealand v South Africa (RC)
Australia v Argentina (RC)
Tonga v Samoa (PNC)
Fiji v Japan (PNC)
USA v Canada (PNC)

3 August:
USA v Samoa (PNC)
Fiji v Canada (PNC)
Tonga v Japan (PNC)

9-11 August:
Tonga v Canada (PNC)
USA v Japan (PNC)
Fiji v Samoa (PNC)
Australia v New Zealand (RC/BC)
Ireland v Italy
Argentina v South Africa (RC)
England v Wales

17-18 August:
New Zealand v Australia (BC)
Italy v Russia
Wales v England
South Africa v Argentina
France v Scotland

24 August:
Scotland v France
England v Ireland
Canada v Lienster

26 August:
Uruguay v Namibia

27 August:
Georgia v Russia

30-31 August:
France v Italy
Georgia v Scotland
Wales v Ireland
Samoa v NZ Heartland XV
Fiji v Tonga
Uruguay v Namiba

6-7 September:
Japan v South Africa
England v Italy
Canada v USA
Australia v Samoa
Ireland v Wales
Scotland v Georgia
New Zealand v Tonga

NC = World Rugby Nations Cup
RC = Rugby Championship
PNC = Pacific Nations Cup
BC = Bledisloe Cup

[Mellsblue]

Which is the most advantageous prep, extended summer training camp and some warm-up matches with nothing at stake or some full on test matches followed by one warmup match.
If you can get through the latter without injuries I’d side with that run in, but how likely is it to make it through unscathed.

[Puja]

Which is the most advantageous prep, extended summer training camp and some warm-up matches with nothing at stake or some full on test matches followed by one warmup match.
If you can get through the latter without injuries I’d side with that run in, but how likely is it to make it through unscathed.

I'm happier with the extended summer training camp myself, althought that is as much because the English players need all the rest and recuperation they can get, followed by a proper pre-season. Our games are as much to shake the rust off as they are to do any actual selectorial or decision-making work.

Puja

[Lizard]

Well, recent results would suggest that competing in, but not winning, the 3N/RC is the best way to prepare for the RWC.

[Lizard]

Results so far:

England 51 v Barbarians 43 - probably has no bearing at all the RWC

Namibia 25 v Argentina XV 39 - I don't know how strong the Arg XV were but it seems to be largely the same as the team that won the America's Rugby Championship undefeated over RWC qualifiers Uruguay, USA and Canada.

Uruguay 48 v Russia 26 - Uruguay are hosting the tournament and would be glad for a first up win.

Argentina XV 40 v Russia 48 - a good result for Russia over a side that beat USA 45-14 in February.

Uruguay 28 v Namibia 30 - this can only be seen as an upset. It also will send a stern warning to Namibia's fellow contender for the RWC Pool B Wooden Spoon - Canada. Uruguay edged Canada 20-17 in the ARC in February, so Namibia might fancy their chances to finally break their RWC duck.