After victory for hosts Japan to get things under way, the Rugby World Cup continues with a mouth-watering trio of matches on Saturday.
Here, the PA news agency takes a look at what to expect as New Zealand, South Africa and Australia enter the fray.
All Blacks launch title defence with high-profile clash
New Zealand’s bid for a third successive Webb Ellis trophy begins with a tantalising Pool B clash with South Africa in Yokohama.
While the All Blacks are favourites with the bookmakers to win the tournament again, there has been talk of them looking more vulnerable of late. They lost to South Africa in September 2018, then won the following month before a draw between the sides in July. New Zealand also lost to Ireland in November, and last month were beaten by Australia.
Head coach Steve Hansen feels there are “probably more teams who can win this tournament than the last one… this time probably five or six.”
The Springboks – surely among those sides – will be wearing an image on their jerseys of the late Chester Williams. The former South Africa wing, who was the only non-white member of the 1995 World Cup winning side, died from a heart attack on September 6 aged 49.
Tricky test for Australia?
Golosnitskiy’s effort in the fifth minute was not only the maiden try of the tournament – it was the fastest to be scored in the opening match of any Rugby World Cup.
