The Rugby World Cup gets underway in France on Friday and will feature 20 countries from five continents scrapping it out for a golden trophy named after an Englishman who supposedly invented the sport by picking up the ball during a soccer game and running with it.

French authorities have pledged to mobilize a record number of police officers to guarantee a smooth Rugby World Cup in the wake of the chaos outside the stadium that marred the 2022 Champions League final.

The United States will stage a Rugby World Cup for the first time after being voted as the host of the men’s tournament in 2031 and the women’s tournament two years later.

(CNN) - South Africa defeated Wales 19-16 in a pulsating Rugby World Cup encounter to reach its third final. To have so many people from South Africa come and support us, it means the world to us. England's shock victory over the All Blacks on Saturday means there will be a repeat of the 2007 final when South Africa won its second World Cup. If Ramaphosa's prediction rings true, South Africa, which won its first World Cup on home soil in 1995, would equal New Zealand's record of three titles. South Africa looked to control proceedings with its big forward pack throughout the match and enjoyed dominance in the scrum and maul.

(Odd Andersen/AFP via Getty Images)(CNN) - New Zealand raised the bar once again at this Rugby World Cup quarterfinal match by booking its place in the semifinals with a seven-try, 46-14 mauling of Ireland. Few teams have been able to thwart the All Blacks in recent years quite like Ireland, winning two of their previous three encounters. For all the great teams and players the Irish have boasted over the years, it has never reached the semifinal of the Rugby World Cup, and that run wasn't looking like ending this evening. From here on out, it was just about damage control for Ireland and not allowing this to become a World Cup humiliation. New Zealand will now play England in a week's time for a place in the World Cup final.

(CNN) - As the Rugby World Cup pauses for breath between the groups stages and knockout rounds, now seems a good time to reflect on what's been an eventful tournament so far. Host Japan has been the surprise package, topping its group with victories over Ireland, Scotland, Samoa, and Russia, while Uruguay shocked Fiji to record its first World Cup victory in 16 years. An astronomical good luckRugby World Cup support has come from all corners of the globe -- and beyond. The rugby-mad Parmitano was able to watch the Azzurri take on South Africa as this World Cup became the first to be broadcast in space. Bak-san's body paintCloser to home, one fan who has gained lots of attention throughout the World Cup group stages.

Tomohiro Ohsumi/Getty Images(CNN) - A major search and rescue operation is underway in Japan after deadly Typhoon Hagibis brought widespread flooding and landslides, destroying buildings and leaving dozens dead. As of Monday, more than 84,000 households in Tokyo, northern Japan and mountainous areas in the center of the country were still without power, according to electricity companies. Fukushima prefecture disaster management spokesperson Shunji Miura said the typhoon had no significant impact on the nuclear plant. Rugby World CupThe typhoon comes as Japan hosts the Rugby World Cup for the first time. Record rains and windstormsAlthough typhoons are not uncommon in Japan, Typhoon Hagibis -- meaning speed in the Philippine language of Tagalog -- was particularly brutal.

Joe Cokanasiga of England dives over for his second try during the Rugby World Cup 2019 Group C game between England and USA at Kobe Misaki Stadium on Sept. 26, 2019 in Kobe, Japan. (CNN) - England cruised to a 45-7 victory over the USA on Thursday to maintain its 100% start at the 2019 Rugby World Cup. Defeat for the Eagles means its wait for a first Rugby World Cup win since 2011 continues whilst England has now won both of its games so far this tournament after beating Tonga 35-3 in its opener Sunday. George Ford carved his way through the US defense to register England's first try within seven minutes, becoming the fourth England captain to score a try at the Rugby World Cup. Italy beats CanadaEarlier in Fukuoka, Italy cruised to its second victory of the World Cup by defeating Canada 48-7 on Sunday.

David Halaifonua of Tonga is tackled by Anthony Watson and Manu Tuilagi of England during the Rugby World Cup 2019 Group C game between England and Tonga at Sapporo Dome on Sept. 22 in Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)(CNN) - England began its 2019 Rugby World Cup campaign with a hard-fought 35-3 win over Tonga to fire a warning to the tournament's other top teams. However, Tonga proved it can compete with any team in the world on a physical level, after a crunching tackle on England's Billy Vunipola heated up the affair. The almighty hit seemed to inspire the underdogs who equaled the score with a penalty of their own shortly after. Farrel fired over another penalty shortly after the restart, before Jamie George and Luke-Cowan Dickie charged over the line to put the game to bed.

George Bridge of New Zealand celebrates scoring a try with team mate Kieran Read of New Zealand during the Rugby World Cup 2019 Group B game between New Zealand and South Africa at International Stadium Yokohama on September 21, 2019 in(CNN) - New Zealand opened the defense of its World Cup title with a thrilling 23-13 win over South Africa that provided plenty of evidence as to why the All Blacks are the choice of many pundits to win Japan 2019. South Africa had the better of the opening exchanges and led 3-0 through a Handre Pollard penalty as the All Blacks came under sustained pressure. Pollard then missed a relatively easy penalty, before the All Blacks ripped control of the first half away from the Springboks. Cheslin Kolbe's strong running began to trouble New Zealand, while Pieter-Steph du Toit's try and a Pollard drop goal reduced the deficit to 17-13. South Africa were on top but the All Blacks weathered the storm and two penalties from Mo'unga and Beauden Barrett enabled the world champion to maintain its record of never having lost a World Cup group match.

Russia has qualified for the Rugby World Cup for only the second time in its history. "We're the sleeping giant of rugby and I saw that with my eyes wide open to how many good players there are," he tells CNN. "My job first is to make them as presentable as possible at the World Cup," added Jones. So is the role of Rugby World Cup host beyond the realms of possibility? Jones, who attended the soccer World Cup in Russia, said: "They did a fantastic job with that and I hope one day Russia could be awarded the Rugby World Cup.