RWC 2019 Qualifiers are to begin this weekend in the Americas with St Vincent and the Grenadines hosting Jamaica in Kingstown on Saturday, March 05.

In an effort to promote the occasion World Rugby has allocated the officiating to Nigel Owens. The Welshman refereed the Rugby World Cup 2015 final between Australia and winners, New Zealand. It follows on from the Rugby World Cup 2015 opening qualifier between Mexico and Jamaica which was officiated by the Rugby World Cup 2011 whistle blower, Craig Joubert.

For the Caribbean island nations of St Vincent and the Grenadines and Jamaica the match is about more than the dream of reaching an inaugural Rugby World Cup. It is an opportunity to capture the imagination of the local community at a time when there will be great attention from the outside world than ever before.

The William Webb Ellis Cup has been flown to the Caribbean and will be on display throughout the week as well as on the field when the players enter to dispute the qualifying fixture.

Rugby World Cup 2019 will be played in Japan in three and a half years time. Up for grabs are eight qualification spots with more than 90 countries competing for the right to play in the sport’s 9th global event.

When the final qualifier has been confirmed there will have been roughly 200 matches played. All participants will be known by November 2018. For a detailed analysis of the qualification process click here.