World Rugby unveil qualification process for Japan 2019 World Cup

World Rugby have revealed the qualification process for the Japan 2019 World Cup ©World Rugby

World Rugby have revealed the qualification process for the 2019 World Cup in Japan, with the top three teams in each pool at this year’s edition of the tournament set to qualify automatically.

It mirrors the format from the New Zealand 2011 and England 2015 World Cups, with the latter currently in progress, and a total of 12 teams will secure their spots through their performances over the next few weeks.

Hosts Japan, who claimed a stunning 34-32 win over South Africa in their opening England 2015 match yesterday, are assured of a place.

A global qualification process will also be held to ensure that all World Rugby member unions have the opportunity to seal qualification for the flagship rugby event.

Seven or eight places, depending on Japan’s final placing in England, are set to be on offer via a regional qualification process that is due to begin next year and a new four-team repechage tournament will determine the final team to advance to the World Cup.

"Rugby World Cup continues to reach and inspire new audiences around the world and the qualification process across every continent is central to its appeal,” said Bernard Lapasset, World Rugby chairman.

"While Japan has qualified for every Rugby World Cup and would be favourites to do so again for 2019, this decision gives certainty of preparation for the national team at their home tournament.

“Importantly, it also gives the organisers a great ability to promote rugby, excite the local market and build robust legacy in the run up to the first tournament in Asia.

The 2019 hosts Japan began the 2015 tournament in style by shocking the two-time winners South Africa ©Getty Images

"These other amendments to the process, including an exciting new four-team repechage tournament, will add further value to what is already one of the best-loved sporting tournaments in the world.”

The move from a repechage tournament which involved home and away semi-finals before a single final to a stand-alone four team event is hoped to add further excitement to the qualification process while World Rugby also believe it will tackle issues of travel and rest time, which will aid players' welfare.

Qualification for England 2015 saw 83 national unions competing in 180 matches from 2012 and 2014, making it the largest and most competitive process to date.