Hi everybody!  
   
 As the header says, the Rugby World Cup begins on Friday, and knowing that perhaps not everyone here is familiar with the game, I thought I'd take it upon myself to write a little something to help out those who might be interested in watching a game here or there. I've no doubt there are also a few here who are already well versed in the sport and if they'd like to contribute also, I'd be very appreciative. So, here we go:  
   
   
 Where can I watch the games?  
   
 The most important question, honestly. NBC will be showing a very limited number of games on TV in the US, however, there are alternative solutions. The one I will be using (and I would recommend for all of you also) is to do a quick Google search on how to get an extension to your browser that will allow you to access UK content and then visit ITV's site, as they are broadcasting every game live. There really aren't many hoops to jump through to get all this working, so I'll trust that you're all capable!  
   
   
 OK, great, but I don't understand rugby at all.  
   
 No problem! Do you understand football? It's really quite similar. The things you have to remember are as follows: you can't pass the ball forwards with your hands (you can only kick it forward), once a player is tackled he must release the ball, and you can only pick the ball up off the floor if you are standing on both feet. If you think of the game in terms of a football game where the whistle doesn't blow once a tackle is made and there are no downs, and that the offsides rule exists in kind of the same form, you should be fine after a half or so.  
   
   
 And what about those big pile-ups?  
   
 Once a ruck is formed (i.e. a player is tackled, and then multiple players from each side are competing to pick up the ball that is now on the floor), each team is attempting to push the other team over the ball, as it is illegal to enter a ruck from the side - so the idea is to push the pile so that the ball is on your side, and thus you can pick it up and play. Simple. A scrum is basically the same thing.  
   
   
 Alright, alright, I think I know enough, but there's a lot of games. What should I watch?  
   
 Well, I have some recommendations for you. England vs Fiji is the opener on Friday (3pm Eastern), and because the World Cup is being held in England this year it should be quite the occasion. England vs Wales (9/26, 3pm EST) is a massive rivalry game, as is England vs Australia (10/3, 3pm EST).  
   
 From Group B, I expect USA vs Samoa (9/20, 7am EST) to be very entertaining even if the rugby itself isn't the best - there should be some absolutely monstrous tackles in that one. USA vs Japan (10/11, 3pm EST) will be quite the contest.  
   
 Group C doesn't have much to talk about, but if you want to see two HUGE teams just smashing each other for 80 minutes, Argentina vs Georgia (9/25, 11.45am EST) should have everything you're looking for.  
   
 Group D, I would highly recommend France vs Italy (19/9, 3pm EST) as it is always a good game every year, Italy vs Canada (26/9, 9.30am EST) as Canada have it within them to cause an upset there, and France vs Ireland (11/10, 11.45am) is almost certainly the best game in the group stages.  
   
 The quarter finals take place on 10/17 and 10/18, the semis on 10/24 and 10/25 and the final is Halloween, 10/31 at 11am EST.  
   
   
 I'm certainly looking forward to it, and I hope some of you are as well. I also hope some of you are willing to dip a toe and see what the fuss is about, even if only for one game. You never know, you might like it!