While performances on the pitch will decide which team wins the 2015 World Cup, coaches’ planning, strategy and tactics are also set to have a major bearing.
We’ve taken a look at the 20 coaches with World Cup matters on their mind.
Pool A
Stuart Lancaster (England)
Arguably under the most pressure of any coach at World Cup 2015. The nation expects England to thrive against the backdrop of being host country, and Lancaster will need to handle that. The former school teacher has won many admirers for the calm, professional way he has led England since his appointment in March 2012, but the biggest test of his sporting life now awaits.
Warren Gatland (Wales)
New Zealander Gatland has overseen a consistent period of success for Wales, masterminding three Six Nations titles – including two Grand Slams – in addition to a 2011 World Cup semi-final appearance, but getting his team out of their pool will feature among the toughest tasks he has encountered.
Michael Cheika (Australia)
Cheika has taken to international rugby coaching like a duck to water, with his impact on Australia proving significant. They will arrive for the World Cup as Rugby Championship title holders and boasting arguably the world game’s finest back division. Serious World Cup contenders.
Pablo Lemoine (Uruguay)
Uruguay are no-hopes in the World Cup’s so-called pool of death, but that will not stop Lemoine – Uruguay’s first professional player – from producing a committed, determined team. Lemoine won 49 Test caps and two French titles during his spell with Stade Francais, so he knows the ropes.
John McKee (Fiji)
Fiji are nobody’s fools when it comes to World Cup time. New Zealander McKee has been determined to toughen up the Fijian pack, which would complement their exciting backs, and do not be surprised if the former Cornish Pirates boss oversees an upset in this World Cup.
Pool B
Heyneke Meyer (South Africa)
South Africa, World Cup winners in 1995 and 2007, are traditional tournament heavyweights, and this year’s global spectacular will be no different for the Springboks. Appointed as national coach on a four-year term in January 2012, Meyer’s coaching career is likely to be defined by what unfolds over the next two months.
Vern Cotter (Scotland)
New Zealander Cotter took up the reins as Scotland head coach just over a year ago, but the former Clermont Auvergne supremo has experienced a testing time, with his squad suffering a Six Nations whitewash last season. A probable quarter-final awaits against England, Australia or Wales – if Scotland emerge from their pool.
Mike Tolkin (USA)
Tolkin has a long connection with American rugby, having worked with the national under-19s squad before taking on senior duties, first as defence specialist and then head coach. Rugby union is growing at a fast pace in the States, highlighted by last year’s game against New Zealand in Chicago, so continued momentum will be key at the World Cup.
Stephen Betham (Samoa)
Samoa have a reputation for being tough World Cup opponents, and they are eminently capable of making their presence felt this time around. Betham carved his reputation as Samoa’s sevens head coach, steering them to World Series success in 2010, and that free-flowing style he champions is now likely to surface on the sport’s biggest stage.
Eddie Jones (Japan)
Jones guided Australia to the 2003 World Cup final, when the Wallabies lost to England after extra-time, and he is regarded as possessing one of the sharpest coaching minds around. Japan have beaten Wales and Italy under his direction, and no stone will be left unturned in his World Cup preparation.
Pool C
Steve Hansen (New Zealand)
Hansen seamlessly succeeded 2011 World Cup-winning coach Graham Henry as New Zealand’s chief of staff, and he will arrive at the World Cup with a squad hell-bent on defending its title. If the All Blacks get it right, as they invariably do, then their standard will be too high for the rest. And deep down, Hansen knows it.
Mana Otai (Tonga)
Otai has experienced the full range of highs and lows since he was appointed as Tonga head coach three years ago. He plotted a first win against Scotland that provided a dream start to his reign, but consistent results did not follow, and it effectively required a solid European tour last year – which Tonga delivered – to keep him in post.
Daniel Hourcade (Argentina)
Hourcade’s squad will arrive at the World Cup on the back of a superb Rugby Championship victory over South Africa in Durban, and the Pumas once again boast some outstanding players that look set to grace the world stage. Hourcade has been a coach for more than 20 years, graduating to the top rugby job in Argentina two years ago.
Milton Haig (Georgia)
Haig’s rugby apprenticeship is an impressive one, having worked with current Scotland boss Vern Cotter at Bay of Plenty in New Zealand and also coaching New Zealand’s Under-21 team for two seasons. Georgia are traditionally tough, physical opponents who should be enhanced by Haig’s expertise.
Phil Davies (Namibia)
Minnows Namibia have turned to former Wales international forward Davies as their World Cup guide, but the ex-Leeds, Cardiff Blues and Worcester coach faces a Herculean task. Davies has only been in the role since June, and while he offers considerable experience and expertise, Namibia’s World Cup odds of 5,000-1 say it all.
Pool D
Joe Schmidt (Ireland)
Ireland have never progressed beyond the World Cup quarter-finals, but expectation – largely due to Schmidt – is huge this time around. Since the New Zealander took charge, Ireland can reflect on winning successive Six Nations titles and delivering a consistency of performance so often lacking in the past. Tournament dark horses.
Philippe Saint-Andre (France)
Saint-Andre will be succeeded by Toulouse head coach Guy Noves after the World Cup, and it is indicative of his time in charge of Les Bleus that no one really knows how France will perform. They could be brilliant, they could be dreadful, but the World Cup campaign is certainly unlikely to be uneventful.
Jacques Brunel (Italy)
Frenchman Brunel has never really been able to stamp his mark on the Azzurri since he took charge, despite claiming some impressive one-off wins. Still way too much reliance on Italy’s magnificent captain Sergio Parisse, and it will be a major surprise if they do not go out in the pool stage.
Kieran Crowley (Canada)
Canada coach Crowley is a World Cup winner, having been part of New Zealand’s 1987 squad. He cut his coaching teeth in New Zealand provincial rugby, and since landing the Canada role seven years ago he has overseen a solidity in the squad, while adding attacking touches that have helped the Canadians become more of an all-round force.
Lynn Howells (Romania)
Howells will know that Romania have got their work cut out, but the Welshman will undoubtedly have his charges well-prepared. His coaching pedigree is an impressive one, having worked as Wales assistant to Graham Henry at the 1999 World Cup and led Wales on tour to Japan two years later.
