Teams: Australia, Georgia, Fiji, Wales, Portugal
Probably the most evenly matched group in the entire World Cup, it leaves some mouth-watering prospects of possible upsets and even a possible minnow to leave the group stages if the bigger two teams don’t get their act together.
You can’t blame either Georgia or Fiji for seeing this as a pool of opportunity, especially given the other side of the draw.
After all, Australia picked the youngest team ever to go to the World Cup and are on four straight losses. Eddie Jones’ coaching style is under pressure while Warren Gatland’s return to the Welsh job has been a bit less than impressive, given the challenges.
And after Georgia beat Wales in November last year and Fiji knocked over England in a World Cup warm-up, you can bet your bottom dollar that the amount of confidence in both camps is higher than before.
And if you add the proposed World Test League to the equation, where Fiji aren’t automatically invited and Georgia - at least according to reports - may miss out, then there is more than enough motivation for both sides to put up a performance that the rest of the world can take notice of.
FIJI
World Ranking: 7
It is quite remarkable that Fiji are the highest ranked team in the group and with good reason. Their entrance into Super Rugby Pacific has given them a group of players who have regular top-class competition and a coaching regime that can work consistently with them.
We all know the talent that is in Fiji and the quality world-class players they can produce but to produce a unit that is disciplined and can go for 80 minutes has always been an issue in World Cups.
This time around it looks different and Fiji, after scaling the Everest that was Twickenham, will be entering the World Cup arena with confidence, and that will worry every team in their group.
AUSTRALIA
World Ranking: 9
Eddie Jones has come into the tournament by discarding several regulars and opting for a very young side. While this may be a good long-term option, it certainly has received oversized attention back in Australia, leading to clashes between Jones and the local media contingent.
The reality is that Jones is a showman, and would have calculated his odds in the World Cup from a long shot, knowing that Australia’s chances weren’t that good in any case. So rather back the youngsters with a British and Irish Lions tour in 2025 looming, and a World Cup on home soil in 2027.
The right side of the draw - from an Aussie viewpoint - means that if they find a bit of momentum - and they will back themselves against all three sides, they can easily slide into the quarters and semis without raising too much of a sweat. That would be a win for Jones, but don’t expect them to go further given the quality in the draw. Still, they could also hit rock bottom as nothing is guaranteed.
One thing is for sure, Jones will keep it interesting until the end.
WALES
World Ranking: 10
Wales went through a rough patch after Warren Gatland left after the last World Cup and the loss to Georgia last November was the last straw that ended Wayne Pivac’s run as Welsh coach.
Since then problems in the Welsh club game and Gatland’s return have not been as rosy as all would have expected, and the side have suffered their biggest defeat in Cardiff in the run-in to the World Cup when they fielded a young and inexperienced side against the Springboks a few weeks back. A win and a loss against a poor England side have not helped their confidence either.
Of course, everyone remembers their poor record against Pacific island nations in the World Cup and they keep getting reminded of it, bringing a large amount of angst ahead of their pool game with Fiji.
But Wales do have quality players and Gatland is a quality coach. If they can get things right and overcome their own demons, they have the talent and a favourable draw to go deep into the World Cup.
That may be easier said than done, however.
GEORGIA
World Ranking: 11
Plenty has been written about Georgian rugby over the past few years and their rise as a power in world rugby. They have dominated European tier two action and have a thriving league at home that includes a 24-hour rugby channel on Georgian television.
Many of their players are in the French league and they enjoy a forward-based attitude to the setpieces, but they have unearthed some gems out wide as well that could put them in good stead in the World Cup.
Their victory over Wales last year underlined their rise as a side that can’t be taken lightly and if they get their power forward game right, the Georgians can be a handful.
Still, it would take a lot for them to get out of a group as tight as this.
PORTUGAL
World Ranking: 16
There were tears of joy when Portugal qualified for the World Cup as they drew with the USA, and while they aren’t expected to do much, they will be out for every experience at this tournament.
This is Os Lobos' - as the team are known - second World Cup and while they aren’t expected to achieve a victory in the pool, they can make things interesting with their gutsy play. Their coach, Patrice Lagisquet, played in the 1987 final for France, when he was known as the “Bayonne Express” and he will ensure a brand of rugby that will be pleasing to watch, even if they are outgunned.