Today, on September 6, 2007, the sixth Rugby World Cup begins in France. The event will stretch out over 44 days, coming to an exciting finale on October 20, when the 2007 Rugby World Cup will be determined between the two remaining teams.

Over the past several years, 86 nations have participated in the qualifying rounds and championships needed to arrive in France. Twenty countries have succeeded in their goal and will play a combined 48 matches, 44 of which will be held in various French cities, four which will be held in Cardiff, Wales, and two in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Pools are divided as follows: Pool A teams are England, Samoa, South Africa, Tonga, and the United States. Pool B teams are Australia, Canada, Fiji, Japan, and Wales. Pool C teams are New Zealand, Italy, Portugal, Romania, and Scotland. Pool D teams are Argentina, France, Georgia, Ireland, and Namibia.

Each team will play every other team in their pool once, for a total of 40 pool phase matches. After points are awarded, the top two teams from each pool will move along to the Quarter-finals. Quarter-final winners advance to the Semi-finals, the two winners of which will face each other in the Finals. Rules are further detailed on the RWC 2007 website.

If Rugby is your game and you have a weekend to spare in September/October, head to France or the U.K. to see some of the fastest-paced, adrenaline rush-inducing rugby matches of your life. It’ll be worth it.