Here's when the Rugby World Cup starts, and how you can watch it live online

Photo by Getty/Visionhaus

Richie McCaw lifts the Webb Ellis Cup for New Zealand in 2015.

• The Rugby World Cup kicks off later this month in Japan, where the world's 20 finest rugby nations will go head-to-head to battle it out for The Webb Ellis Cup.
• New Zealand is the current champion, however the country will face stiff competition from Australia, South Africa, and England, amongst others.
• Japan opens the tournament on September 20 when it takes on Russia at the Tokyo Stadium. 
• Here is everything you need to know about the world's toughest sporting event. 
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

The first ever Rugby World Cup on Asian soil kicks off later this month, where over the course of seven weeks in Japan, the world's 20 finest rugby nations will go head-to-head to battle it out for the sport's ultimate prize - The Webb Ellis Cup.

The favorites for the tournament are the mighty New Zealand, who will be hoping to take home the coveted trophy for a third consecutive time, having emerged victorious in both 2011 and 2015. 

But Kiwi captain Kieran Read and his team will face stiff competition as the rest of the world try desperately to strip them of their crown in what is set to be the most hotly contested World Cup since its inception in 1987.

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"All eyes should be on Japan 2019 as I believe it will be the most competitive Rugby World Cup that I've ever seen as a fan or player," former Wales captain Sam Warburton told ITV. 

Brian O'Driscoll, the Six Nations all-time top try scorer and three time Heineken Cup winner, agreed, saying: "For the first time ever, I genuinely feel we could have six or seven different winners, which makes it the most open RWC ever."

Whether a rugby fanatic, or a first time viewer, there has never been a better time to turn your eyes to the world's toughest sport. 

When is the Rugby World Cup?

The tournament in Japan runs from September 20 to November 2 2019.

The host country will commence the group stages, which run until October 13, when it plays Russia at the Tokyo Stadium on September 20.

The quarter-final matches occur on October 19 and 20, and the semi-finals are a week later on October 20 and 27. 

The third place play-off takes place on November 1, and the final, which is being held at the International Stadium Yokohama in Yokohama City, is on November 2.

The pools for the group stages are as follows:

Pool A: Ireland, Scotland, Japan, Russia, Samoa. 

Pool B: New Zealand, South Africa, Italy, Namibia, Canada.

Pool C: England, France, Argentina, USA, Tonga.

Pool D: Australia, Wales, Georgia, Fiji, Uruguay. 

Why should I watch?

This year's tournament will be the most competitive it ever has been.

It's been an unpredictable year in the world of rugby union, with each of the planet's top performers seemingly being able to topple one another on any given day. 

Photo by Reuters

New Zealand performing it's famous Haka in 2017.

While New Zealand enters the tournament as top dog, the team has been beaten by Ireland, South Africa, and Australia over the course of the past 12 months - all three of whom will fancy their chances again should they meet in Japan. 

England has had a strong 2019 having lost just twice this year. Both of those defeats, however, came against Wales, who after winning the Grand Slam at the Six Nations in March will be hoping to collect its second piece of major silverware this year.

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France, Argentina, and Scotland are underdogs as always, however are not to be sniffed at, while Olympic gold medalists Fiji are the tournament's dark horse.

Form aside, you are guaranteed blood, sweat, and tears (and definitely some monster tackles) from every nation. 

How can I watch live?

In the UK, ITV hold the exclusive broadcasting rights for the tournament, and will show every single match from Japan on either ITV or ITV 4.

You can watch ITV's promo video here:

In the United States, NBC Universal is the official broadcaster. Like ITV, it will be streaming every game of the competition, either on television or online. A pass to watch the tournament can be purchased for $199.99 on the NBC website.

World Rugby TV will be showing all the games online for countries which are not covering the event independently.