The Rugby World Cup finally begins this week in Japan with the opening match between the hosts and Russia taking place on Friday, September 20. With Japan being eight hours ahead, all of the games throughout the tournament will be played during the morning in the UK. What time is kick-off? Japan host Russia, who are coached by Welshman Lyn Jones, in the opening Pool A fixture at Tokyon Stadium, which kicks off at 11.45am in the UK. The game is being shown on ITV and you can follow everything live here on WalesOnline. The game will be preceded by the official Rugby World Cup 2019 opening ceremony. You can see all of Wales’ fixture dates here. Who else is in Pool A? This will be the first match in a Pool that also contains Ireland, Scotland and Samoa. It’s a match Japan will be huge favourites for, with the hosts expected to challenge Scotland and Ireland for a place in the quarter-finals. Russia are relative rugby minnows, with their recent 85-15 hammering at the hands of Italy, plus a defeat to English Championship side Jersey Reds, perhaps summing up where they stand. Where are both teams ranked? Japan are…