Rugby World Cup betting guide: Pool C

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

Australia: Predicted pool finishing position – First
World Cup history: SF, W, QF, W, F, QF
Coach: Robbie Deans
Captain: James Horwill
Star man: David Pocock
World ranking: 2
Australia are a genuine threat to New Zealand and under coach Robbie Deans the Wallabies are improving with every game. Ireland pose the biggest threat in Pool C but Australia should progress with ease
Fixtures:
Australia vs Italy: Sun September 11 – Auckland, North Harbour
P13, W13, T60
Australia vs Ireland: Sat September 17 – Auckland, Eden Park
P29, W20, L8, D1, T68
Australia vs USA: Fri Septemeber 23 – Wellington
P6, W6, T43
Australia vs Russia: Sat October 1 – Nelson
P0, W0, L0, D0, T0

Ireland: Second
World Cup history: P, QF, QF, QFPO, QF, P
Coach: Declan Kidney
Captain: Brian O’Driscoll
Star Man: Tommy Bowe
World ranking: 8
Ireland are the perennial underachievers in World Cups and while this may be the golden generation, the fact they’ve slipped behind Scotland in the rankings means qualification isn’t guaranteed.
Fixtures:
Ireland vs USA: Sun September 11 – New Plymouth
P6, W6, T34
Australia vs Ireland: Sat September 17 – Auckland, Eden Park
P29, W8, L20, D1, T33
Ireland vs Russia: Sun September 27 – Nelson
P1, W1, T4
Ireland vs Italy: Sun October 2 – Dunedin
P19, W16, L3, T66

Italy: Third
World Cup history: P, P, P, P, P, P
Coach: Nick Mallett
Captain: Sergio Parisse
Star Man: Sergio Parisse
World ranking: 11
Beating France in the Six Nations proved just how far Italy have come and while they may have never progressed from a World Cup pool, Ireland’s lack of confidence can be exploited by the Italians
Fixtures:
Australia vs Italy: Sun September 11 – Auckland, North Harbour
P15, L15, T16
Italy vs Russia: Tues September 20 – Nelson
P17, W7, L9, D1, T34
Italy vs USA: Tues September 27 – Nelson
P2, W2, T9
Ireland vs Italy: Sun October 2 – Dunedin
19, W3, L16, T28

Russia: Fifth
World Cup history: DNQ, DNQ, DNQ, DNQ, DNQ, DNQ
Coach: Kingsley Jones
Captain: Vladislav Korshunoz
Star Man: Vasily Artemyev
World ranking: 19
Debutantes on the World Cup stage, expect Russia to try to keep things tight and simple but also expect them to take some pastings from the likes of Australia and Ireland.
Fixtures:
Russia vs USA: Thurs September 15 – New Plymouth
P5, W2, L3, T14
Italy vs Russia: Tues September 20 – Nelson
P17, W9, L7, D1, T20
Ireland vs Russia: Sun September 25 – Rotorua
P1, L1, T0
Australia vs Russia: Sun October 1 – Nelson
P0, W0, L0, D0, T0

USA: Fourth
World Cup history: P, P, DNQ, P, P, P
Coach: Eddie O’Sullivan
Captain: Todd Clever
Star Man: Todd Clever
World ranking: 18
Former Ireland coach Eddie O’Sullivan will be targeting the game with Ireland as their World Cup final and as it’s the first game, victory would leave the USA brimming with confidence and Italy will have to watch out.
Fixtures:
Ireland vs USA: Sun September 11 – New Plymouth
P7, L7, T7
Russia vs USA: Thurs September 15 – New Plymouth
P4, W3, L1, T15
Australia vs USA: Fri September 23 – Wellington
P7, L7, T5
Italy vs USA: Tues September 27 – Nelson
P2, L2, T4