Rugby World Cup 2023: Preview and Predictions

The countdown to the Rugby World Cup starts right here...

The 2023 Rugby World Cup will be the tenth tournament, and it is to be held in France, this autumn. This will be the second time the tournament is to be held in France, with the first time being in 2007.

The world cup seems to get bigger with every event, and that trend isn't about to change, because France 2023 is set to be the biggest and most competitive world cup yet. It is also one of the most open world cups in memory, with eight or nine teams in contention to win it. 

Here, Green Beans takes a look at all the front runners and their chances of lifting the Webb Ellis trophy in October.  Will the southern hemisphere stranglehold continue, or will a northern hemisphere team break the trend, and lift the trophy for the first time since England did in 2003? 

How will your team do at this year's rugby world cup, and will we see a new winner?  Here's what we think...

 

Argentina

Best ever world cup result:  Third place  (2007)

Current ranking: 8

Star player:  Tomas Albornoz

Pool D

What are their chances?  Argentina have developed immensely since the turn of the century, and the Pumas are now considered to be one of the world's best.  Joining the Rugby Championship has also helped Argentina develop further, and with recent away victories over New Zealand and England, the Pumas will not be here just to make up the numbers.

However, Argentina haven't been the most consistent of teams in recent times, so this is something that they'll need to address if they're to make it out of their group. A tricky group with England, Japan and Samoa is not an easy task, but even so, they should be able to negotiate their way out of it, and then have a shot at the Aussies in the last eight.

Our prediction: Quarter finals.

Australia

Best ever world cup result:  Champions  (1991, 1999)

Current ranking: 7

Star player:  Bernard Foley

Pool C

What are their chances?  Australia are a bit like Germany at football world cups - they just have this annoying habit of getting it right on the big occasions (most of the time), regardless of their form going into these tournaments.  That is why this Australian side cannot be written off.

Australia come into this tournament on a mixed run of form, which makes them dangerously unpredictable, but in a pool containing a Welsh team that is low on confidence, a plucky but beatable Georgian team, and a Fiji outfit that lacks any real defence, you'd expect the Aussies to top the group and navigate their way through to the last eight. With Argentina possibly lurking in the quarters, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Eddie Jones go on a run to another world cup final. 

Our prediction: Runners-up.

 England

Best ever world cup result:  Champions  (2003)

Current ranking: 6

Star player:  Marcus Smith

Pool D

What are their chances?  It's difficult to know exactly how well this England team will do at the world cup.  Their form has been patchy of late, and they are lacking a clear identity.  There's no question they have the players to go deep in this tournament, but do they have the right mindset? 

Don't bet against a successful world cup for the English this autumn, but also don't bet against another flop like in 2015. England have become the new France in recent times, but that shouldn't stop them negotiating through Pool C, and even past Wales (most likely) in the quarters. However, with no real game plan, and a new coach in place, the odds will be against the English, somewhat. 

Our prediction: Semi final. 

France

Best ever world cup result:  Runners-up  (1987, 1999, 2011)

Current ranking: 2

Star player: Antoine Dupont

Pool A

What are their chances?  France have always been a bit of an oddity in world rugby, and the same goes for their form at world cups - you just never know what you're going to get from the French.  With that said, it does feel a bit different this time. The recruitment of defence coach Shaun Edwards has stabilised the team, and made the French much more organised, and harder to beat. 

Le Bleus go into the world cup as the hosts, and possibly as the best team on the planet. With star man Antoine Dupont pulling the strings, it's hard to see how any team can stop this magnificent French force. Perhaps it's only the French who can beat themselves? Home pressure will count, but if there was ever a world cup for France to win, this must surely be it.

Our prediction: Winners.

Ireland

Best ever world cup result:  Quarter finals  (1987, 1991, 1995, 2003, 2011, 2015)

Current ranking: 1

Star player: Johnny Sexton

Pool B

What are their chances?  Ireland come into this world cup as one of the strong favourites, and rightly so. This settled side under Andy Farrell have the strength in depth, intensity, pace, power, and game plan to make a real push for the title. You would certainly think that, with this team, Ireland will go beyond the quarter finals for the first time in their history.  

However, with all that said, have this Ireland team peaked too early (again)?  Keeping Johnny Sexton fit will be key to how Ireland perform in this world cup. If Sexton stays injury-free, and on good form, then the Irish have a decent shot. The trouble for Ireland is that they'll likely play either France or New Zealand in the next round, which isn't the easiest of tasks. 

Our prediction: Quarter finals.

Italy

Best ever world cup result:  Pool stage

Current ranking: 12

Star player: Ange Capuozzo

Pool A

What are their chances?  Italy are a much more settled team at present, and it definitely feels like they're on the up. With impressive wins against Wales and Australia, it feels like Italy are turning into a more competitive side.

Unfortunately, the Azzurri have been pitted against New Zealand and France in their pool, and so it's highly unlikely that they'll progress. However, with star player Ange Capuozzo able to turn a game on its head, you'd be a fool to write off the Italians completely. 

Our prediction: Pool stage.

Japan

Best ever world cup result:  Quarter finals (2019)

Current ranking: 10

Star player: Shogo Nakano

Pool D

What are their chances?  The much loved Japan have given us some memorable performances at recent world cups, with wins over South Africa, Ireland and Scotland -- and in a group that contains a low-confidence England, and an inconsistent Argentina, another big upset could well be on the cards.

Our prediction: Pool stage.

 New Zealand

Best ever world cup result:  Champions  (1987, 2011, 2015)

Current ranking: 3

Star player: Jordie Barrett

Pool A

What are their chances?  As always, the mighty All Blacks will head into the world cup as one of the favourites to lift their fourth title, despite their recent run of inconsistent form. 

If New Zealand get all the facets of their game right, then there's no reason why they won't be able to make a run to the final. However, they're in the tough side of the draw, and they start their campaign against hosts and favourites France, so much will depend on that match and how they perform. A potential quarter final against Ireland could be very interesting. 

Our prediction: Semi finals.

Scotland

Best ever world cup result:  Fourth place  (1991)

Current ranking: 5

Star player: Fin Russell

Pool B

What are their chances?  Scotland are in a good place at the moment, and they'll be more than an outside threat. Their style of play is positive, and they now have good quality in a number of positions, with Fin Russell and Stuart Hogg pulling their creative strings. This Scottish team are settled into an attacking system that has enabled them to ground out some impressive results in the past 12 months.  

Pool B is a difficult one, though, with world champions South Africa, and a very strong Ireland, to get past. The Scots will have to dig in deep if they want to avoid a first round exit, but with form and confidence on their side, this talented crop will be out to cause an upset or two.

Our prediction: Pool stage.

South Africa

Best ever world cup result:  Champions  (1995, 2007, 2019)

Current ranking: 4

Star player: Cheslin Kolbe

Pool B

What are their chances?  The Springboks head into the 2023 tournament with a sense of uncertainty, which is similar to how they went into the last world cup (which they won!). However, that's not to say that they're struggling, and only a fool would be quick to write off this South Africa side, who are packed with experienced world class talent, all over the field.

You would fully expect South Africa to get through Pool B, just behind Ireland, but their journey will likely end in the quarters against the French.

Our prediction: Quarter finals.

Wales

Best ever world cup result:  Third place  (1987)

Current ranking: 9

Star player: Louis Rees-Zammit

Pool C

What are their chances?  Wales are currently in a dark place, and there is little expectation on them at this tournament. Embarrassing home defeats to Italy, Georgia, and a second string Australia line-up have shattered Welsh confidence. 

Even with Warren Gatland back in charge, you do feel it's just a bit too little too late for the Welsh lads. This is a team that is devoid of creativity, a game plan, and lacks a true playing identity. The priority will be to avoid further embarrassment, so getting out of the group is key. After that, you would expect Wales to be sent packing by England in the quarter finals. 

Our prediction: Quarter finals.

Our final predictions:

France to beat Australia in the final. 

New Zealand take third spot, ahead of England. 

Do you agree with our predictions?  Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below. 

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