The showpiece event in men’s rugby union 15s, Rugby World Cup 2023 will feature 20 teams – 12 of which qualified directly by finishing in the top three in their pool at Japan 2019 and eight from a. In total, 48 matches will be played across 51 days. During the first England game v Argentina George Ford was the hero, kicking all 27 points, including a hat-trick of dropped goals in nine first-half minutes. It was his finest hour in an England shirt, pulling the strings with aplomb, his tactical genius matched only by the perfect execution of kicking out of hand and from the tee. Owen Farrell may find it difficult to claim his place back when his suspension ends after the Japan game.