Rugby World Cup betting guide: Pool B

World Cup history key (from 1987-2007):
DNQ = Did not qualify, P = Pool stages, QFPO = Quarter-final pool stages, QF = Quarter-finals, SF = Semi-finals, F = Final, W = Winners
Results key
P = Played, W = Won, L = Lost, D = Drawn, T = Tries scored

Argentina: Predicted pool finishing position – Second
World Cup history: P, P, P, QF, P , SF
Coach: Santiago Phelan
Captain: Felipe Contepomi
Star man: Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe
World ranking: 9
The dark horses in the 2007 World Cup will have to outdo themselves if they are to repeat that performance but Phelan’s side will be eyeing top spot and a England scalp in Pool B
Fixtures:
Argentina vs England: Sat September 10 – Dunedin
P16, W4, L10, D2, T17
Argentina vs Romania: Sat September 17 – Invercargill
P7, W7, T36
Argentina vs Scotland: Sun September 25 – Wellington
P15, W9, L6, T21
Argentina vs Georgia: Sun October 2 – Palmerston North
P1, W1, T4

England: First
World Cup history: QF, F, SF, QF, W, F
Coach: Martin Johnson
Captain: Lewis Moody
Star Man: Chris Ashton
World ranking: 5
Finalists in the last two World Cups, should England take top spot in Pool B then they are likely to face France and Australia en route to the final – teams that have a miserable record in World Cups against England.
Fixtures:
Argentina vs England: Sat September 10 – Dunedin
P15, W10, L4, D1, T34
England vs Georgia: Sun September 18 – Dunedin
P1, W1, T12
England vs Romania: Sat September 24 – Dunedin
P4, W4, T36
England vs Scotland: Sat October 1 – Auckland, Eden Park
P128, W68, L42, D18, T221

Scotland: Third
World Cup history: QF, SF, QF, QF, QF, QF
Coach: Andy Robinson
Captain: Alastair Kellock
Star Man: Richie Gray
World ranking: 7
Scotland have been handed a tough draw and while recent results have lifted the optimism around the Scottish camp, the result against Argentina will define whether or not Scotland make it through Pool B.
Fixtures:
Scotland vs Romania: Sat September 10 – Invercargill
P12, W10, L2, T59
Scotland vs Georgia: Wed September 14 – Invercargill
P0, W0, L0, D0, T0
Argentina vs Scotland: Sun September 25 – Wellington
P12, W4, L8, T20
England vs Scotland: Sat October 1 – Auckland, Eden Park
P128, W42, L68, D18, T159

Georgia: Fourth
World Cup history: DNQ, DNQ, DNQ, DNQ, P, P,
Coach: Richie Dixon
Captain: Irakli Abuseridze
Star Man: Mamuka Gorgodze
World ranking: 16
It’s a testament to Georgian rugby that the national side are playing in their third World Cup, and while qualification looks improbable, they’re a nation to keep an eye on with some very exciting players.
Fixtures:
Scotland vs Georgia: Wed September 14 – Invercargill
P0, W0, L0, D0, T0
England vs Georgia: Sun September 18 – Dunedin
P1, L1, T0
Georgia vs Romania: Wed September 28 – Palmerston North
P14, W6, L8, T24
Argentina vs Georgia: Sun October 2 – Palmerston North
P1, L1, T0

Romania: Fifth
World Cup history: P, P, P, P, P, P
Coach: Romeo Stefan Gontineac
Captain: Marius Tincu
Star Man: Ovidiu Tonita
World ranking: 17
Have been handed a decent draw with sides that struggle to pass break line and while Romania’s target will be one win, canny punters will be backing Romania with the handicap in games that are likely to produce few tries.
Fixtures:
Scotland vs Romania: Sat September 12 – Invercargill
P12, W2, L10, T12
Argentina vs Romania: Sat September 17 – Invercargill
P7, L7, T8
England vs Romania: Sat September 24 – Dunedin
P4, L4, T0
Georgia vs Romania: Wed September 28 – Palmerston North
P14, W8, L6, T28