It is little more than a year before the start of the 11th World Cup in Australia.
The new look tournament features 24 countries split into six groups of four which reduces the chances of an upset and most of the championship countries will have a straightforward passage to the last 16.

Italy are an exception, paired with holders South Africa and a country that in the last decade has lobbied to be given a pathway to the Six Nations, Georgia.
The meeting between the two in the final group round in Newcastle promises to be one of the contests of the opening stage.
Low key opening
The fixtures ...

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