World Rugby chief says Japan will be a thriller

Brett Gosper has predicted potentially the most competitive tournament in Rugby World Cup history later this year.

The world game’s current top four teams – New Zealand, Ireland, England and Wales – are separated by less than five official ranking percentage points.

And, with this season’s Guinness Six Nations Championship off to a flying start, World Rugby chief executive Gosper believes that rugby union’s global showpiece in Japan will not disappoint.

“Thesixnationsisalways a brilliant indicator,” Gosper said. “It gathers excitement for the World Cup where people are lookingatthosesidesandthinking how are they going to fare at a World Cup.

“At this end, it looks like it could be the most competitive World Cup in that top area of teams.

“In the current situation, everyone can beat everyone on their day, you get the sense, and that is what you want.”

New Zealand will be aiming for an unprecedented hat-trick of World Cup triumphs, but the European challenge is set to be a considerable one in pursuit of a first northern hemisphere success since England’s glory 16 years ago.

It will be the first Rugby World Cup staged in Asia, with 12 host venues from Sapporo in the north to southern bases such as Kumamoto and Oita.

“It is such a change of pace from where we have been in the past, a change of culture and context,” Gosper added.