Harris Interactive

TOKYO: The 2019 Rugby World Cup has kicked off in Japan. Twenty teams are competing for the title. 

In the tournament's opener on Friday, host Japan easily defeated Russia 30-10.

The teams are split into four pools, with the top two in each advancing to the knockout stages.

Japan is currently ranked 10th in the world, and will be hoping to reach the quarter-finals for the first time.

It is the first time the tournament has been held in Asia and more than 90 percent of the tickets have already been sold.