2023 Rugby World Cup Pool D

Pool D of the 2023 Rugby World Cup began on 9 September 2023 and concluded on 8 October 2023. The pool included 2003 champions and 2019 runner-ups England, previous hosts Japan, and Argentina. They are joined by Samoa, the winner of the Oceania 1 qualifier, and tournament debutants Chile (Americas 2).^[1] England topped the group and Argentina placed second, thus allowing both teams to progress.

Teams

Pos.	Team	Band	Confederation	Method of qualification	Date of qualification	Apps.	Last	Previous best performance	World Rugby Rankings^[2]
Pos.	Team	Band	Confederation	Method of qualification	Date of qualification	Apps.	Last	Previous best performance	1 January 2020^{[nb 1]}	4 September 2023
D1	England	1	Europe	Top 3 in 2019 RWC pool	5 October 2019	10th	2019	Winners (2003)	3	8
D2	Japan	2	Asia	Top 3 in 2019 RWC pool	5 October 2019	10th	2019	Quarter-finals (2019)	8	14
D3	Argentina	3	South America	Top 3 in 2019 RWC pool	9 October 2019	10th	2019	Third place (2007)	10	6
D4	Samoa	4^{[nb 2]}	Oceania	Oceania 1	17 July 2021	9th	2019	Quarter-finals (1991, 1995)	15^{[nb 2]}	12
D5	Chile	5^{[nb 3]}	South America	Americas 2	16 July 2022	1st	—		29^{[nb 3]}	22

Notes

^ The rankings of 1 January 2020 were used for seeding for the final draw.
^ ^a ^b As the identity of the Oceania 1 winners was not known at the time of the final draw, positions in the World Rugby Rankings were not taken into account, and the placeholder in the draw was automatically seeded into band 4.^[3]
^ ^a ^b As the identity of the Americas 2 winners was not known at the time of the final draw, positions in the World Rugby Rankings were not taken into account, and the placeholder in the draw was automatically seeded into band 5.^[3]

Overview

In the opening match of Pool D, England defeated Argentina by 27–10. Despite losing Tom Curry to a red card for a dangerous head-to-head with Juan Cruz Mallía, England went over the line courtesy of a player-of-the-match performance from George Ford who scored three drop goals and six penalties, with Argentina's Rodrigo Bruni scoring the only try of the match.^[4] Japan faced debutants Chile the following day, in which Japan came out winners in a score of 42–12 despite the best efforts of Chile in their first World Cup appearance.^[5] After a six day rest, Samoa played their first match of the pool against Chile in which they came out with a 43–10 bonus-point victory in Bordeaux.^[6] The next day, England secured a bonus point victory over Japan in a 34–12 win.^[7]

On 22 September, Argentina defeated Samoa with a scoreline of 19–10, with Emiliano Boffelli securing a converted try and 3 penalties, earning him player of the match. The result left the group finely poised and lifted hopes of progression to the knockout stage for Argentina.^[8] The next day, England moved on to the brink of qualifying for the knockout stage, after defeating Chile with a scoreline of 71–0 with Henry Arundell earning player of the match having scored five tries in the match. Chile were officially eliminated from the tournament following the result.^[9] As Pool D began to near its conclusion, Japan faced Samoa on 28 September in a match of high stakes for both sides. Tries from Lappies Labuschagné, Michael Leitch and Kazuki Himeno secured Japan a 28–22 victory over the Samoans to boost their hopes of progression to the knockout stage, while officially securing England's place who were thus confirmed to top the pool. Samoa, who lost Ben Lam to a red card for an upright tackle, were left requiring a victory in their final match against England to have a chance at progression.^[10] Two days later, on 30 September, Chile played their last match of their first ever Rugby World Cup against Argentina in Nantes in what was the first ever meeting between two South American sides in a World Cup. The Argentinians raced to a 59–5 victory over the Chileans, scoring eight tries along with strong kicking from Nicolás Sánchez and Santiago Carreras to set up a showdown with Japan on the final matchday to decide who would join England in the quarter-finals.

On 7 October, England played their final match of the pool against Samoa in Villeneuve-d'Ascq. Despite a valiant effort from the Samoans, who scored two tries through Nigel Ah Wong, England edged the match in an 18–17 victory from a Danny Care try in the 73rd minute to give the English a full house of wins from Pool D as they headed into the quarter-finals while eliminating any hope of Samoa progressing themselves, which place Argentina and Japan in the 2027 Rugby World Cup before the match between two nations.^[11] All that remained in the pool was the final match the following day between Japan and Argentina to decide who would finish second and join England in the knockout stage. The high stakes match took place in Nantes, where Mateo Carreras scored a hat-trick as Argentina came out 39–27 victors in a 66-point thriller to finish second in the pool and send themselves through to the quarter-finals with England who topped Pool D and left Japan eliminated from the tournament as they finished in third place.^[12]

Standings

Pos	Team	Pld	W	L	PF	PA	PD	TF	TA	B	Pts	Qualification
1	England	4	4	0	150	39	+111	17	3	2	18	Advance to knockout stage, and qualification to the 2027 Rugby World Cup
2	Argentina	4	3	1	127	69	+58	15	5	2	14
3	Japan	4	2	2	109	107	+2	12	14	1	9	Qualification to the 2027 Rugby World Cup
4	Samoa	4	1	3	92	75	+17	11	7	3	7
5	Chile	4	0	4	27	215	−188	4	30	0	0

Source: World Rugby
Rules for classification: Pool stage tiebreakers

Matches

England vs Argentina

9 September 2023
21:00 CEST (UTC+2)

England	27–10	Argentina
Pen: Ford (6/6) 10', 46', 54', 59', 66', 75' Drop: Ford (3/3) 27', 31', 37'	Report	Try: Bruni 79' c Con: Boffelli (1/1) 80' Pen: Boffelli (1/2) 5'

Stade Vélodrome, Marseille
Attendance: 63,118
Referee: Mathieu Raynal (France)^[13]

England

Argentina


FB	15	Freddie Steward
RW	14	Jonny May
OC	13	Joe Marchant
IC	12	Manu Tuilagi		69'
LW	11	Elliot Daly
FH	10	George Ford		76'
SH	9	Alex Mitchell		59'
N8	8	Ben Earl
OF	7	Tom Curry	3'
BF	6	Courtney Lawes (c)		65'
RL	5	Ollie Chessum		59'
LL	4	Maro Itoje
TP	3	Dan Cole		50'
HK	2	Jamie George		72'
LP	1	Ellis Genge		54'
Replacements:
HK	16	Theo Dan		72'
PR	17	Joe Marler		54'
PR	18	Will Stuart		50'
LK	19	George Martin		59'
FL	20	Lewis Ludlam		66'
SH	21	Danny Care		59'
FH	22	Marcus Smith		76'
CE	23	Ollie Lawrence		69'
Coach:
Steve Borthwick


FB	15	Juan Cruz Mallía		3' to 10'
RW	14	Emiliano Boffelli
OC	13	Lucio Cinti
IC	12	Santiago Chocobares
LW	11	Mateo Carreras				63'
FH	10	Santiago Carreras	10'
SH	9	Gonzalo Bertranou		69'
N8	8	Juan Martín González		59'
OF	7	Marcos Kremer
BF	6	Pablo Matera
RL	5	Tomás Lavanini		50'
LL	4	Matías Alemanno		40'
TP	3	Francisco Gómez Kodela		63'
HK	2	Julián Montoya (c)		69'
LP	1	Thomas Gallo		50'	69'
Replacements:
HK	16	Agustín Creevy		69'
PR	17	Joel Sclavi		50'	69'
PR	18	Eduardo Bello		63'
LK	19	Guido Petti		40'
LK	20	Pedro Rubiolo		50'
FL	21	Rodrigo Bruni		59'
SH	22	Lautaro Bazán		69'
CE	23	Matías Moroni		3'	10'	63'
Coach:
Michael Cheika

Player of the Match:
George Ford (England)^[14]

Assistant referees:
Ben O'Keeffe (New Zealand)^[13]
Pierre Brousset (France)^[13]
Television match official:
Marius Jonker (South Africa)^[13]

Notes:

Tom Curry became the first England player to be sent off at a Rugby World Cup. It was also the fastest red card in a World Cup match, and the first ever to be issued at the tournament via the World Rugby foul play review process (a system introduced in August 2023, during the Summer Nations Series).^[15]

Japan vs Chile

10 September 2023
13:00 CEST (UTC+2)

(1 BP) Japan	42–12	Chile
Try: Fakatava (2) 8' c, 40+1' c Naikabula 30' c Leitch 53' c Nakamura 71' c Dearns 79' c Con: Matsuda (6/6) 10', 31', 40+2', 54', 73', 80+1'	Report	Try: Fernández 6' c A. Escobar 48' m Con: Videla (1/2) 7'

Stadium de Toulouse, Toulouse
Attendance: 30,187
Referee: Nic Berry (Australia)^[13]

Japan

Chile


FB	15	Semisi Masirewa		56'
RW	14	Kotaro Matsushima
OC	13	Dylan Riley	46'
IC	12	Ryōto Nakamura
LW	11	Jone Naikabula		63'
FH	10	Rikiya Matsuda
SH	9	Yutaka Nagare (c)		61'
N8	8	Jack Cornelsen
OF	7	Kanji Shimokawa		50'
BF	6	Michael Leitch
RL	5	Amato Fakatava		55'
LL	4	Amanaki Saumaki
TP	3	Koo Ji-won
HK	2	Atsushi Sakate		50'
LP	1	Keita Inagaki		58'
Replacements:
HK	16	Shōta Horie		50'
PR	17	Craig Millar		58'
PR	18	Asaeli Ai Valu
LK	19	Warner Dearns		55'
FL	20	Shota Fukui		50'
SH	21	Naoto Saitō		61'
CE	22	Tomoki Osada		63'
WG	23	Lomano Lemeki		56'
Coach:
Jamie Joseph


FB	15	Iñaki Ayarza
RW	14	Santiago Videla
OC	13	Domingo Saavedra
IC	12	Nicolás Garafulic
LW	11	Franco Velarde		29'	35'	56'
FH	10	Rodrigo Fernández
SH	9	Marcelo Torrealba
N8	8	Alfonso Escobar
OF	7	Raimundo Martínez		58'
BF	6	Martín Sigren (c)	37'
RL	5	Javier Eissman		56'
LL	4	Clemente Saavedra		65'
TP	3	Matías Dittus	24'			68'
HK	2	Diego Escobar		58'
LP	1	Javier Carrasco
Replacements:
HK	16	Augusto Böhme		58'
PR	17	Salvador Lues
PR	18	Iñaki Gurruchaga		29'	35'	68'
LK	19	Pablo Huete		65'
LK	20	Santiago Pedrero		56'
FL	21	Ignacio Silva		58'
SH	22	Lukas Carvallo
CE	23	José Ignacio Larenas				56'
Coach:
Pablo Lemoine

Player of the Match:
Amato Fakatava (Japan)^[16]

Assistant referees:
Karl Dickson (England)^[13]
Andrea Piardi (Italy)^[13]
Television match official:
Tom Foley (England)^[13]

Notes:

This was the first ever meeting between these two nations.
This was Chile's first game at a Rugby World Cup.^[17]
Keita Inagaki (Japan) earned his 50th test cap.^[18]
Kazuki Himeno was originally named in the starting line-up for Japan, but withdrew prior to the match due to a calf injury. He was replaced in the back row by Jack Cornelsen, whose initial position in the second row was taken by Amanaki Saumaki, while the captaincy was handed over to Yutaka Nagare.^[19]

Samoa vs Chile

16 September 2023
15:00 CEST (UTC+2)

(1 BP) Samoa	43–10	Chile
Try: Paia'aua 40+1' c Taumateine 42' m Lee 47' m Malolo (2) 52' c, 80+1' c Con: Leali'ifano (2/4) 40+2', 53' Sopoaga (1/1) 80+2' Pen: Leali'ifano (4/4) 4', 10', 14', 36'	Report	Try: Dittus 6' c Con: Videla (1/1) 7' Pen: Garafulic (1/1) 30'

Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux, Bordeaux
Attendance: 39,291
Referee: Paul Williams (New Zealand)^[13]

Samoa

Chile


FB	15	Duncan Paia'aua
RW	14	Danny Toala		64'
OC	13	Ulupano Seuteni	6'
IC	12	Tumua Manu		56'
LW	11	Nigel Ah Wong
FH	10	Christian Leali'ifano
SH	9	Jonathan Taumateine		54'
N8	8	Steve Luatua		58'
OF	7	Fritz Lee
BF	6	Taleni Seu
RL	5	Theo McFarland
LL	4	Chris Vui		58'
TP	3	Michael Alaalatoa (c)		54'
HK	2	Seilala Lam		41'
LP	1	James Lay		54'
Replacements:
HK	16	Sama Malolo		41'
PR	17	Jordan Lay		54'
PR	18	Paul Alo-Emile		54'
LK	19	Sam Slade		58'
FL	20	Jordan Taufua		58'
SH	21	Ere Enari	64'	54'
FH	22	Lima Sopoaga		56'
WG	23	Ed Fidow		64'
Coach:
Seilala Mapusua


FB	15	Iñaki Ayarza
RW	14	Santiago Videla		22'
OC	13	Domingo Saavedra
IC	12	Matías Garafulic
LW	11	José Larenas
FH	10	Rodrigo Fernández
SH	9	Marcelo Torrealba		62'
N8	8	Raimundo Martínez		41'
OF	7	Clemente Saavedra			74'
BF	6	Martín Sigren (c)
RL	5	Santiago Pedrero		54'
LL	4	Pablo Huete		41'
TP	3	Matías Dittus		70'	74'
HK	2	Tomás Dussaillant		41'	64'
LP	1	Javier Carrasco		41'
Replacements:
HK	16	Diego Escobar		41'	64'
PR	17	Salvador Lues		41'
PR	18	Esteban Inostroza	71'	70'
LK	19	Javier Eissman		41'
FL	20	Alfonso Escobar	63'	41'
FL	21	Ignacio Silva		54'
SH	22	Benjamín Videla		62'
CE	23	Pablo Casas		22'
Coach:
Pablo Lemoine

Player of the Match:
Theo McFarland (Samoa)^[20]

Assistant referees:
Angus Gardner (Australia)^[13]
James Doleman (New Zealand)^[13]
Television match official:
Brett Cronan (Australia)^[13]

Notes:

This was the first ever meeting between these two nations.^[21]
Benjamín Videla (Chile) made his international debut.^[22]

England vs Japan

17 September 2023
21:00 CEST (UTC+2)

(1 BP) England	34–12	Japan
Try: Ludlam 24' c Lawes 56' c Steward 66' c Marchant 80+1' c Con: Ford (4/4) 26', 56', 67', 80+1' Pen: Ford (2/3) 4', 42'	Report	Pen: Matsuda (4/4) 15', 23', 32', 54'

Allianz Riviera, Nice
Attendance: 30,500
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia)^[13]

England

Japan


FB	15	Freddie Steward	69'
RW	14	Jonny May
OC	13	Joe Marchant
IC	12	Manu Tuilagi	69'
LW	11	Elliot Daly
FH	10	George Ford
SH	9	Alex Mitchell	60'
N8	8	Lewis Ludlam	51'
OF	7	Ben Earl
BF	6	Courtney Lawes (c)	63' to 73'
RL	5	Ollie Chessum			74'
LL	4	Maro Itoje
TP	3	Kyle Sinckler	51'
HK	2	Jamie George	74'
LP	1	Joe Marler	60'
Replacements:
HK	16	Theo Dan	74'
PR	17	Ellis Genge	60'
PR	18	Will Stuart	51'
LK	19	George Martin	63'	73'	74'
N8	20	Billy Vunipola	51'
SH	21	Ben Youngs	60'
FH	22	Marcus Smith	69'
CE	23	Ollie Lawrence	69'
Coach:
Steve Borthwick


FB	15	Semisi Masirewa	7'
RW	14	Kotaro Matsushima
OC	13	Tomoki Osada
IC	12	Ryōto Nakamura
LW	11	Jone Naikabula	50'
FH	10	Rikiya Matsuda
SH	9	Yutaka Nagare	65'
N8	8	Kazuki Himeno (c)
OF	7	Lappies Labuschagné	74'
BF	6	Michael Leitch
RL	5	Amato Fakatava	62'
LL	4	Jack Cornelsen
TP	3	Koo Ji-won	41'
HK	2	Shōta Horie	62'
LP	1	Keita Inagaki	50'
Replacements:
HK	16	Atsushi Sakate	62'
PR	17	Craig Millar	50'
PR	18	Asaeli Ai Valu	41'
LK	19	Warner Dearns	62'
FL	20	Kanji Shimokawa	74'
SH	21	Naoto Saitō	65'
CE	22	Dylan Riley	50'
WG	23	Lomano Lemeki	7'
Coach:
Jamie Joseph

Player of the Match:
George Ford (England)^[23]

Assistant referees:
Nic Berry (Australia)^[13]
Andrea Piardi (Italy)^[13]
Television match official:
Joy Neville (Ireland)^[13]

Notes:

This was the first match between England and Japan at a Rugby World Cup since the inaugural tournament in 1987, when the two nations met in the pool stages.^[24]^[25]

Argentina vs Samoa

22 September 2023
17:45 CEST (UTC+2)

Argentina	19–10	Samoa
Try: Boffelli 9' c Con: Boffelli (1/1) 10' Pen: Boffelli (3/4) 25', 34', 54' Sánchez (1/1) 80'	Report	Try: Malolo 75' c Con: Leuila (1/1) 75' Pen: Leali'ifano (1/3) 28'

Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, Saint-Étienne
Attendance: 38,358
Referee: Nic Berry (Australia)^[13]

Argentina

Samoa


FB	15	Juan Cruz Mallía
RW	14	Emiliano Boffelli
OC	13	Matías Moroni	71'
IC	12	Santiago Chocobares
LW	11	Mateo Carreras
FH	10	Santiago Carreras	67'
SH	9	Gonzalo Bertranou	67'
N8	8	Juan Martín González	56'
OF	7	Marcos Kremer
BF	6	Pablo Matera
RL	5	Matías Alemanno	61'
LL	4	Guido Petti
TP	3	Eduardo Bello	43'
HK	2	Julián Montoya (c)	73'
LP	1	Thomas Gallo	80'
Replacements:
HK	16	Agustín Creevy	73'
PR	17	Mayco Vivas	80'
PR	18	Francisco Gómez Kodela	43'
LK	19	Pedro Rubiolo	61'
FL	20	Rodrigo Bruni	56'
SH	21	Tomás Cubelli	67'
FH	22	Nicolás Sánchez	67'
CE	23	Lucio Cinti	71'
Coach:
Michael Cheika


FB	15	Duncan Paia'aua	1'	58'
RW	14	Nigel Ah Wong
OC	13	Ulupano Seuteni		49'
IC	12	Tumua Manu
LW	11	Ben Lam
FH	10	Christian Leali'ifano
SH	9	Jonathan Taumateine
N8	8	Steven Luatua		60'
OF	7	Fritz Lee
BF	6	Theo McFarland
RL	5	Chris Vui (c)
LL	4	Brian Alainu'uese		55'
TP	3	Paul Alo-Emile		55'
HK	2	Seilala Lam		56'
LP	1	James Lay		55'
Replacements:
HK	16	Sama Malolo		56'
PR	17	Charlie Faumuina		55'
PR	18	Michael Alaalatoa		55'
LK	19	Taleni Seu		55'
FL	20	Jordan Taufua		60'
SH	21	Melani Matavao
CE	22	D'Angelo Leuila		49'
FB	23	Danny Toala		58'
Coach:
Seilala Mapusua

Player of the Match:
Emiliano Boffelli (Argentina)^[26]

Assistant referees:
Nika Amashukeli (Georgia)^[13]
Jordan Way (Australia)^[13]
Television match official:
Brett Cronan (Australia)^[13]

Notes:

Ben Lam (Samoa) made his international debut.^[27]

England vs Chile

23 September 2023
17:45 CEST (UTC+2)

(1 BP) England	71–0	Chile
Try: Arundell (5) 20' m, 30' m, 48' c, 60' c, 69' m Dan (2) 24' c, 45' c Rodd 35' c Smith (2) 40' c, 77' c Willis 80' c Con: Farrell (8/11) 25', 36', 40+2', 46', 49', 62', 78', 80+1'	Report

Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Villeneuve-d'Ascq
Attendance: 44,315
Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)^[13]

England

Chile


FB	15	Marcus Smith
RW	14	Henry Arundell
OC	13	Elliot Daly	50'
IC	12	Ollie Lawrence
LW	11	Max Malins	71'
FH	10	Owen Farrell (c)
SH	9	Danny Care	50'
N8	8	Billy Vunipola	67'
OF	7	Jack Willis
BF	6	Lewis Ludlam	55'
RL	5	George Martin
LL	4	David Ribbans
TP	3	Kyle Sinckler	55'
HK	2	Theo Dan	55'
LP	1	Bevan Rodd	55'
Replacements:
HK	16	Jack Walker	55'
PR	17	Joe Marler	55'
PR	18	Will Stuart	55'
LK	19	Ollie Chessum	55'
FL	20	Ben Earl	67'
SH	21	Ben Youngs	50'
FH	22	George Ford	50'
CE	23	Joe Marchant	71'
Coach:
Steve Borthwick


FB	15	Francisco Urroz
RW	14	Cristobal Game
OC	13	Domingo Saavedra
IC	12	Matías Garafulic		78'
LW	11	Franco Velarde		63'
FH	10	Rodrigo Fernández
SH	9	Benjamín Videla
N8	8	Alfonso Escobar		63'
OF	7	Ignacio Silva		41'
BF	6	Martín Sigren (c)
RL	5	Javier Eissman		62'
LL	4	Clemente Saavedra
TP	3	Matías Dittus	44'	63'	77'
HK	2	Augusto Böhme		56'
LP	1	Salvador Lues		56'
Replacements:
HK	16	Tomás Dussaillant		56'
PR	17	Vittorio Lastra		56'
PR	18	Iñaki Gurruchaga		63'	77'
LK	19	Pablo Huete		62'
FL	20	Thomas Orchard		63'
FL	21	Raimundo Martínez		41'
SH	22	Lukas Carvallo		78'
FB	23	Iñaki Ayarza		63'
Coach:
Pablo Lemoine

Player of the Match:
Henry Arundell (England)^[28]

Assistant referees:
Pierre Brousset (France)^[13]
Andrea Piardi (Italy)^[13]
Television match official:
Marius Jonker (South Africa)^[13]

Notes:

This was the first ever meeting between these two nations.
England recorded their first ever clean sheet in a World Cup match.
With five tries, Henry Arundell equalled the England record for most tries scored by one player in a test match (shared with Douglas Lambert, Josh Lewsey and Rory Underwood).^[29]

Japan vs Samoa

28 September 2023
21:00 CEST (UTC+2)

Japan	28–22	Samoa (1 BP)
Try: Labuschagné 13' c Leitch 32' c Himeno 48' m Con: Matsuda (2/3) 15', 33' Pen: Matsuda (3/3) 28', 56', 75'	Report	Try: S. Lam 38' m Paia'aua 65' c Leali'ifano 78' c Con: Leali'ifano (2/3) 66', 79' Pen: Leuila (1/2) 25'

Stadium de Toulouse, Toulouse
Attendance: 31,794
Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)^[13]

Japan

Samoa


FB	15	Lomano Lemeki
RW	14	Kotaro Matsushima
OC	13	Dylan Riley
IC	12	Ryōto Nakamura		75'
LW	11	Jone Naikabula		41'	47'
FH	10	Rikiya Matsuda		77'
SH	9	Naoto Saitō		75'
N8	8	Kazuki Himeno (c)
OF	7	Lappies Labuschagné		47' to 58'
BF	6	Michael Leitch		75'
RL	5	Amato Fakatava
LL	4	Jack Cornelsen				63'
TP	3	Koo Ji-won		47'
HK	2	Shōta Horie	37'			58'
LP	1	Keita Inagaki		47'
Replacements:
HK	16	Atsushi Sakate		41'	47'	58'
PR	17	Craig Millar		47'
PR	18	Asaeli Ai Valu		47'
LK	19	Warner Dearns		47'	58'	63'
FL	20	Kanji Shimokawa		75'
SH	21	Kenta Fukuda		75'
FH	22	Lee Seung-sin		77'
CE	23	Tomoki Osada		75'
Coach:
Jamie Joseph


FB	15	Duncan Paia'aua
RW	14	Ed Fidow		73'
OC	13	Tumua Manu
IC	12	D'Angelo Leuila		33'
LW	11	Ben Lam	47'
FH	10	Christian Leali'ifano
SH	9	Jonathan Taumateine	32'	58'
N8	8	Jordan Taufua		58'
OF	7	Fritz Lee (c)
BF	6	Taleni Seu		5'
RL	5	Theo McFarland
LL	4	Steven Luatua
TP	3	Paul Alo-Emile		51'
HK	2	Seilala Lam		51'
LP	1	James Lay		51'
Replacements:
HK	16	Sama Malolo		51'
PR	17	Jordan Lay		51'
PR	18	Michael Alaalatoa		51'
LK	19	Brian Alainu'uese		5'
FL	20	Alamanda Motuga		58'
SH	21	Melani Matavao		58'
WG	22	Neria Fomai		73'
FB	23	Danny Toala		33'
Coach:
Seilala Mapusua

Player of the Match:
Lomano Lemeki (Japan)^[30]

Assistant referees:
Ben O'Keeffe (New Zealand)^[13]
Craig Evans (Wales)^[13]
Television match official:
Marius Jonker (South Africa)^[13]

Notes:

Kenta Fukuda (Japan) made his international debut.^[31]
Yutaka Nagare was originally named in the starting line-up for Japan, but withdrew prior to the match due to injury. He was replaced by Naoto Saitō, whose place on the bench was taken by Kenta Fukuda.^[32]
Chris Vui was originally named in the starting line-up for Samoa as captain, but withdrew prior to the match due to injury. He was replaced by Steven Luatua, whose place on the bench was taken by Brian Alainu'uese, while the captaincy was transferred to Fritz Lee.^[32]

Argentina vs Chile

30 September 2023
15:00 CEST (UTC+2)

(1 BP) Argentina	59–5	Chile
Try: Sánchez 9' c González (2) 16' c, 68' c Creevy 23' c Bogado 46' c Isgro 64' c Ruiz 77' c S. Carreras 79' c Con: Sánchez (6/6) 10', 17', 24', 47', 65', 69' S. Carreras (2/2) 78', 80+1' Pen: Sánchez (1/1) 13'	Report	Try: Dussaillant 73' m

Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes
Attendance: 33,963
Referee: Paul Williams (New Zealand)^[13]

Argentina

Chile


FB	15	Martín Bogado
RW	14	Rodrigo Isgro	26'
OC	13	Lucio Cinti		12' to 23'
IC	12	Jerónimo de la Fuente (c)
LW	11	Juan Imhoff				62'
FH	10	Nicolás Sánchez		77'
SH	9	Tomás Cubelli		47'
N8	8	Facundo Isa
OF	7	Marcos Kremer		51'
BF	6	Juan Martín González
RL	5	Pedro Rubiolo
LL	4	Guido Petti		62'
TP	3	Eduardo Bello		47'
HK	2	Agustín Creevy		55'
LP	1	Joel Sclavi		62'
Replacements:
HK	16	Ignacio Ruiz		55'
PR	17	Mayco Vivas		62'
PR	18	Francisco Gómez Kodela		47'
LK	19	Matías Alemanno		51'
FL	20	Joaquín Oviedo		62'
SH	21	Lautaro Bazán		47'
FH	22	Santiago Carreras		77'
FB	23	Juan Cruz Mallía		12'	23'	62'
Coach:
Michael Cheika


FB	15	Iñaki Ayarza	65'
RW	14	Santiago Videla
OC	13	Domingo Saavedra
IC	12	Matías Garafulic
LW	11	José Larenas	78'
FH	10	Rodrigo Fernández
SH	9	Marcelo Torrealba	69'
N8	8	Raimundo Martínez
OF	7	Clemente Saavedra
BF	6	Martín Sigren (c)
RL	5	Javier Eissman	69'
LL	4	Santiago Pedrero	62'
TP	3	Matías Dittus	65'
HK	2	Augusto Böhme	55'
LP	1	Javier Carrasco	47'	71'
Replacements:
HK	16	Tomás Dussaillant	55'
PR	17	Salvador Lues	47'	71'
PR	18	Esteban Inostroza	65'
LK	19	Augusto Sarmiento	69'
FL	20	Alfonso Escobar	78'
FL	21	Ignacio Silva	62'
SH	22	Nicolás Herreros	69'
FB	23	Francisco Urroz	65'
Coach:
Pablo Lemoine

Player of the Match:
Nicolás Sánchez (Argentina)^[33]

Assistant referees:
Andrew Brace (Ireland)^[34]
Chris Busby (Ireland)^[34]
Television match official:
Ben Whitehouse (Wales)^[13]

Notes:

This was the first ever meeting between these two nations at a Rugby World Cup, and the first meeting between any two South American teams in the competition.^[35]
Nicolás Sánchez became the second Argentine rugby player to earn 100 test caps.^[36]

England vs Samoa

7 October 2023
17:45 CEST (UTC+2)

England	18–17	Samoa (1 BP)
Try: Chessum 9' m Care 73' c Con: Farrell (1/2) 74' Pen: Farrell (2/3) 18', 58'	Report	Try: Ah Wong (2) 22' c, 29' c Con: Sopoaga (2/2) 24', 30' Pen: Sopoaga (1/2) 48'

Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Villeneuve-d'Ascq
Attendance: 47,891
Referee: Andrew Brace (Ireland)^[13]

England

Samoa


FB	15	Freddie Steward
RW	14	Joe Marchant
OC	13	Manu Tuilagi	58'
IC	12	Owen Farrell (c)
LW	11	Jonny May
FH	10	George Ford	51'
SH	9	Alex Mitchell	66'
N8	8	Ben Earl
OF	7	Tom Curry	45' to 55'		74'
BF	6	Courtney Lawes	59'
RL	5	Ollie Chessum
LL	4	Maro Itoje
TP	3	Dan Cole	48'
HK	2	Jamie George
LP	1	Ellis Genge	55'
Replacements:
HK	16	Theo Dan
PR	17	Joe Marler	55'
PR	18	Kyle Sinckler	48'
LK	19	George Martin	59'
N8	20	Billy Vunipola	45'	55'	74'
SH	21	Danny Care	66'
FH	22	Marcus Smith	51'
CE	23	Ollie Lawrence	58'
Coach:
Steve Borthwick


FB	15	Duncan Paia'aua
RW	14	Nigel Ah Wong
OC	13	Tumua Manu	66'
IC	12	Danny Toala		65'
LW	11	Neria Fomai
FH	10	Lima Sopoaga
SH	9	Jonathan Taumateine		62'
N8	8	Steven Luatua
OF	7	Fritz Lee		62'
BF	6	Theo McFarland
RL	5	Brian Alainu'uese
LL	4	Sam Slade		58'
TP	3	Michael Alaalatoa (c)		58'
HK	2	Sama Malolo		62'
LP	1	Jordan Lay		58'
Replacements:
HK	16	Seilala Lam		62'
PR	17	James Lay		58'
PR	18	Paul Alo-Emile		58'
N8	19	So'otala Fa'aso'o
FL	20	Alamanda Motuga		62'
SH	21	Melani Matavao		62'
FH	22	Christian Leali'ifano		65'
FL	23	Miracle Faiʻilagi		58'
Coach:
Seilala Mapusua

Player of the Match:
Lima Sopoaga (Samoa)^[37]

Assistant referees:
Nika Amashukeli (Georgia)^[13]
Chris Busby (Ireland)^[13]
Television match official:
Brian MacNeice (Ireland)^[13]

Notes:

Owen Farrell became England's all-time top points scorer, breaking the previous record of 1,179 points which was held by Jonny Wilkinson.^[38]
This was the only match at the 2023 Rugby World Cup in which the Player of the Match was selected from the losing team.^[39]

Japan vs Argentina

8 October 2023
13:00 CEST (UTC+2)

Japan	27–39	Argentina (1 BP)
Try: Fakatava 16' c Saitō 38' c Naikabula 65' c Con: Matsuda (3/3) 17', 39', 67' Pen: Matsuda (1/1) 52' Drop: Lemeki (1/1) 56'	Report	Try: Chocobares 2' c M. Carreras (3) 28' m, 46' c, 68' c Boffelli 58' c Con: Boffelli (3/4) 2', 47', 60' Sánchez (1/1) 70' Pen: Boffelli (1/2) 35' Sánchez (1/1) 75'

Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes
Attendance: 33,624
Referee: Ben O'Keeffe (New Zealand)^[13]

Japan

Argentina


FB	15	Lomano Lemeki
RW	14	Kotaro Matsushima		60'
OC	13	Dylan Riley
IC	12	Ryōto Nakamura		70'
LW	11	Siosaia Fifita
FH	10	Rikiya Matsuda
SH	9	Naoto Saitō
N8	8	Kazuki Himeno (c)
OF	7	Lappies Labuschagné	23'	70'
BF	6	Michael Leitch
RL	5	Amato Fakatava		51'
LL	4	Jack Cornelsen
TP	3	Koo Ji-won		43'
HK	2	Shōta Horie		48'
LP	1	Keita Inagaki		48'
Replacements:
HK	16	Atsushi Sakate		48'
PR	17	Craig Millar		48'
PR	18	Asaeli Ai Valu		43'
LK	19	Warner Dearns		51'
LK	20	Amanaki Saumaki		70'
SH	21	Kenta Fukuda
CE	22	Ryohei Yamanaka		70'
WG	23	Jone Naikabula		60'
Coach:
Jamie Joseph


FB	15	Juan Cruz Mallía
RW	14	Emiliano Boffelli
OC	13	Lucio Cinti	70'
IC	12	Santiago Chocobares
LW	11	Mateo Carreras
FH	10	Santiago Carreras	59'
SH	9	Gonzalo Bertranou	59'
N8	8	Juan Martín González
OF	7	Marcos Kremer
BF	6	Pablo Matera	24'
RL	5	Tomás Lavanini	48'
LL	4	Guido Petti
TP	3	Francisco Gómez Kodela	43'	70'
HK	2	Julián Montoya (c)	78'
LP	1	Thomas Gallo	67'
Replacements:
HK	16	Agustín Creevy	78'
PR	17	Joel Sclavi	67'
PR	18	Eduardo Bello	43'	70'
LK	19	Matías Alemanno	24'
LK	20	Pedro Rubiolo	48'
SH	21	Lautaro Bazán	59'
FH	22	Nicolás Sánchez	59'
CE	23	Matías Moroni	70'
Coach:
Michael Cheika

Player of the Match:
Mateo Carreras (Argentina)^[40]

Assistant referees:
Paul Williams (New Zealand)^[13]
James Doleman (New Zealand)^[13]
Television match official:
Brendon Pickerill (New Zealand)^[13]

References

^ "Hosts France to face New Zealand in blockbuster RWC 2023 opening match". 26 February 2021. Retrieved 17 July 2021.
^ "Men's Ranking". World Rugby. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
^ ^a ^b "Stage set for Rugby World Cup 2023 Draw". World Rugby. 2 October 2020. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
^ English, Tom (9 September 2023). "George Ford kicks 14-man England to superb Rugby World Cup victory". BBC Sport. Retrieved 12 September 2023.
^ Cartwright, Phil (10 September 2023). "Rugby World Cup debutants beaten in Toulouse". BBC Sport. Retrieved 12 September 2023.
^ Telfer, Alastair (16 September 2023). "Samoa begin Rugby World Cup with bonus-point win". BBC Sport. Retrieved 16 September 2023.
^ Henson, Mike (17 September 2023). "England run in four tries to beat Brave Blossoms". BBC Sport. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
^ "Emiliano Boffelli stars as Pumas kickstart World Cup campaign". BBC Sport. 22 September 2023. Retrieved 22 September 2023.
^ Henson, Mike (23 September 2023). "Henry Arundell scores five tries in Rugby World Cup pool game". BBC Sport. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
^ Smith, Emma (28 September 2023). "Brave Blossoms' win puts England into Rugby World Cup quarter-finals". BBC Sport. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
^ Henson, Mike (7 October 2023). "England sneak narrow win in final Rugby World Cup pool game". BBC Sport. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
^ Smith, Emma (8 October 2023). "Pumas set up Wales quarter-final with thrilling win". BBC Sport. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ ^o ^p ^q ^r ^s ^t ^u ^v ^w ^x ^y ^z ^aa ^ab ^ac ^ad ^ae ^af ^ag ^ah ^ai ^aj ^ak ^al "Rugby World Cup 2023 pool stage". World Rugby. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
^ "Ford drops Argentina: England win Pool D opener 27-10 in Marseille". Rugby World Cup. 9 September 2023. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
^ "England's Tom Curry red carded 2 minutes into World Cup Pool D opener". www.rugbypass.com. Rugby Pass. 9 September 2023. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
^ "Japan score six tries to beat 'spirited' Chile 42-12 in Pool D". Rugby World Cup. 10 September 2023. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
^ "Chile savoring every moment of Rugby World Cup debut. Even a big defeat". apnews.com. Associated Press. 12 September 2023. Retrieved 12 September 2023.
^ "Japan vs Chile Preview - RWC 2023 Pool D Pool Match". www.rugbyasia247.com. Rugby Asia 24/7. 8 September 2023. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
^ "Japan skipper Himeno withdrawn from team for Chile". www.rugbypass.com. Rugby Pass. 10 September 2023. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
^ "SAM 43-10 CHI: Samoa claim a bonus-point win over Chile". Rugby World Cup. 16 September 2023. Retrieved 16 September 2023.
^ "Samoa v Chile preview: Pacific Islanders to win compelling World Cup clash". www.planetrugby.com. Planet Rugby. 15 September 2023. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
^ "Underdogs Chile make four changes for Samoa game". www.reuters.com. Reuters. 14 September 2023. Retrieved 16 September 2023.
^ "ENG 34-12 JPN: England get a heads up to beat Japan". Rugby World Cup. 17 September 2023. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
^ "England vs Japan 1987". en.espn.co.uk. ESPN. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
^ "England vs Japan 1987". www.worldrugby.org. World Rugby. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
^ "ARG 19-10 SAM: Argentina back on track with win over Samoa". Rugby World Cup. 22 September 2023. Retrieved 22 September 2023.
^ "Samoa start Ben Lam for crucial Rugby World Cup clash with Argentina". www.planetrugby.com. Planet Rugby. 20 September 2023. Retrieved 22 September 2023.
^ "ENG 71-0 CHI: Five tries by Arundell as England win". rugbyworldcup.com. Rugby World Cup. 23 September 2023. Retrieved 24 September 2023.
^ "Arundell equals England record with five-try haul in Chile demolition". www.standard.co.uk. Evening Standard. 23 September 2023. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
^ "JPN 28-22 SAM: Brave Blossoms eyeing last eight". rugbyworldcup.com. Rugby World Cup. 28 September 2023. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
^ "Japan's Victory Keeps Quarterfinal Dreams Alive at Rugby World Cup". en.rugby-japan.jp. Japan Rugby. 3 October 2023. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
^ ^a ^b "Samoa skipper Vui, Japan scrumhalf Nagare out of Pool D clash". www.reuters.com. Reuters. 28 September 2023. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
^ "ARG 59-5 CHI: Argentina closing in on last eight place". rugbyworldcup.com. Rugby World Cup. 30 September 2023. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
^ ^a ^b "Emirates World Rugby Match Official appointment amendments". World Rugby. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
^ "Los Pumas power past neighbours Chile in first all-South American Rugby World Cup test". Planet Rugby. 30 September 2023. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
^ "Nicolas Sánchez Reaches 100 Test Caps for Argentina". www.americasrugbynews.com. Americas Rugby News. 28 September 2023. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
^ "ENG 18-17 SAM: Care leaves it late for England". rugbyworldcup.com. Rugby World Cup. 7 October 2023. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
^ "Owen Farrell breaks Jonny Wilkinson's long-standing England record". www.independent.co.uk. The Independent. 7 October 2023. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
^ "ENG 18-17 SAM: Samoa reaction (Sopoaga)". Ultimate Rugby. 7 October 2023. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
^ "JPN 27-39 ARG: Argentina beat Japan in thriller to reach quarter-finals". rugbyworldcup.com. Rugby World Cup. 8 October 2023. Retrieved 8 October 2023.

[3] The rankings of 1 January 2020 were used for seeding for the final draw.

[Placeholder1-5] As the identity of the Oceania 1 winners was not known at the time of the final draw, positions in the World Rugby Rankings were not taken into account, and the placeholder in the draw was automatically seeded into band 4.^[3]

[Placeholder2-6] As the identity of the Americas 2 winners was not known at the time of the final draw, positions in the World Rugby Rankings were not taken into account, and the placeholder in the draw was automatically seeded into band 5.^[3]

[Schedule-1] "Hosts France to face New Zealand in blockbuster RWC 2023 opening match". 26 February 2021. Retrieved 17 July 2021.

[2] "Men's Ranking". World Rugby. Retrieved 29 January 2023.

[draw-4] "Stage set for Rugby World Cup 2023 Draw". World Rugby. 2 October 2020. Retrieved 29 January 2023.

[7] English, Tom (9 September 2023). "George Ford kicks 14-man England to superb Rugby World Cup victory". BBC Sport. Retrieved 12 September 2023.

[8] Cartwright, Phil (10 September 2023). "Rugby World Cup debutants beaten in Toulouse". BBC Sport. Retrieved 12 September 2023.

[9] Telfer, Alastair (16 September 2023). "Samoa begin Rugby World Cup with bonus-point win". BBC Sport. Retrieved 16 September 2023.

[10] Henson, Mike (17 September 2023). "England run in four tries to beat Brave Blossoms". BBC Sport. Retrieved 17 September 2023.

[11] "Emiliano Boffelli stars as Pumas kickstart World Cup campaign". BBC Sport. 22 September 2023. Retrieved 22 September 2023.

[12] Henson, Mike (23 September 2023). "Henry Arundell scores five tries in Rugby World Cup pool game". BBC Sport. Retrieved 23 September 2023.

[13] Smith, Emma (28 September 2023). "Brave Blossoms' win puts England into Rugby World Cup quarter-finals". BBC Sport. Retrieved 29 September 2023.

[14] Henson, Mike (7 October 2023). "England sneak narrow win in final Rugby World Cup pool game". BBC Sport. Retrieved 7 October 2023.

[15] Smith, Emma (8 October 2023). "Pumas set up Wales quarter-final with thrilling win". BBC Sport. Retrieved 8 October 2023.

[officials-16] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ ^o ^p ^q ^r ^s ^t ^u ^v ^w ^x ^y ^z ^aa ^ab ^ac ^ad ^ae ^af ^ag ^ah ^ai ^aj ^ak ^al "Rugby World Cup 2023 pool stage". World Rugby. Retrieved 11 September 2023.

[17] "Ford drops Argentina: England win Pool D opener 27-10 in Marseille". Rugby World Cup. 9 September 2023. Retrieved 11 September 2023.

[18] "England's Tom Curry red carded 2 minutes into World Cup Pool D opener". www.rugbypass.com. Rugby Pass. 9 September 2023. Retrieved 9 September 2023.

[19] "Japan score six tries to beat 'spirited' Chile 42-12 in Pool D". Rugby World Cup. 10 September 2023. Retrieved 11 September 2023.

[20] "Chile savoring every moment of Rugby World Cup debut. Even a big defeat". apnews.com. Associated Press. 12 September 2023. Retrieved 12 September 2023.

[21] "Japan vs Chile Preview - RWC 2023 Pool D Pool Match". www.rugbyasia247.com. Rugby Asia 24/7. 8 September 2023. Retrieved 10 September 2023.

[22] "Japan skipper Himeno withdrawn from team for Chile". www.rugbypass.com. Rugby Pass. 10 September 2023. Retrieved 10 September 2023.

[23] "SAM 43-10 CHI: Samoa claim a bonus-point win over Chile". Rugby World Cup. 16 September 2023. Retrieved 16 September 2023.

[24] "Samoa v Chile preview: Pacific Islanders to win compelling World Cup clash". www.planetrugby.com. Planet Rugby. 15 September 2023. Retrieved 15 September 2023.

[25] "Underdogs Chile make four changes for Samoa game". www.reuters.com. Reuters. 14 September 2023. Retrieved 16 September 2023.

[26] "ENG 34-12 JPN: England get a heads up to beat Japan". Rugby World Cup. 17 September 2023. Retrieved 17 September 2023.

[27] "England vs Japan 1987". en.espn.co.uk. ESPN. Retrieved 15 September 2023.

[28] "England vs Japan 1987". www.worldrugby.org. World Rugby. Retrieved 15 September 2023.

[29] "ARG 19-10 SAM: Argentina back on track with win over Samoa". Rugby World Cup. 22 September 2023. Retrieved 22 September 2023.

[30] "Samoa start Ben Lam for crucial Rugby World Cup clash with Argentina". www.planetrugby.com. Planet Rugby. 20 September 2023. Retrieved 22 September 2023.

[31] "ENG 71-0 CHI: Five tries by Arundell as England win". rugbyworldcup.com. Rugby World Cup. 23 September 2023. Retrieved 24 September 2023.

[32] "Arundell equals England record with five-try haul in Chile demolition". www.standard.co.uk. Evening Standard. 23 September 2023. Retrieved 23 September 2023.

[33] "JPN 28-22 SAM: Brave Blossoms eyeing last eight". rugbyworldcup.com. Rugby World Cup. 28 September 2023. Retrieved 28 September 2023.

[34] "Japan's Victory Keeps Quarterfinal Dreams Alive at Rugby World Cup". en.rugby-japan.jp. Japan Rugby. 3 October 2023. Retrieved 3 October 2023.

[Japan_vs_Samoa_changes-35] "Samoa skipper Vui, Japan scrumhalf Nagare out of Pool D clash". www.reuters.com. Reuters. 28 September 2023. Retrieved 28 September 2023.

[36] "ARG 59-5 CHI: Argentina closing in on last eight place". rugbyworldcup.com. Rugby World Cup. 30 September 2023. Retrieved 30 September 2023.

[officials_update-37] "Emirates World Rugby Match Official appointment amendments". World Rugby. Retrieved 28 September 2023.

[38] "Los Pumas power past neighbours Chile in first all-South American Rugby World Cup test". Planet Rugby. 30 September 2023. Retrieved 30 September 2023.

[39] "Nicolas Sánchez Reaches 100 Test Caps for Argentina". www.americasrugbynews.com. Americas Rugby News. 28 September 2023. Retrieved 28 September 2023.

[40] "ENG 18-17 SAM: Care leaves it late for England". rugbyworldcup.com. Rugby World Cup. 7 October 2023. Retrieved 7 October 2023.

[41] "Owen Farrell breaks Jonny Wilkinson's long-standing England record". www.independent.co.uk. The Independent. 7 October 2023. Retrieved 7 October 2023.

[42] "ENG 18-17 SAM: Samoa reaction (Sopoaga)". Ultimate Rugby. 7 October 2023. Retrieved 7 October 2023.

[43] "JPN 27-39 ARG: Argentina beat Japan in thriller to reach quarter-finals". rugbyworldcup.com. Rugby World Cup. 8 October 2023. Retrieved 8 October 2023.

[1]

[2]

[nb 1]

[nb 2]

[nb 3]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

[14]

[15]

[16]

[17]

[18]

[19]

[20]

[21]

[22]

[23]

[24]

[25]

[26]

[27]

[28]

[29]

[30]

[31]

[32]

[33]

[34]

[35]

[36]

[37]

[38]

[39]

[40]