The 2023 Rugby World Cup is finally upon us, and despite an incredibly tough draw, it looks as if Ireland has a serious chance of winning the Webb Ellis Cup in October. Sports Editor Oisin Gaffey discusses Ireland’s chances at this year’s tournament.
The stage is set for an epic Autumn of Rugby, as the top 20 teams in the World compete over the next six weeks for the chance to lift the elicit Webb Ellis Cup on October 28 in Paris. Little is guaranteed in Sport, but considering the draw and potential fixtures of this year’s World Cup, this tournament will be one of the most exciting World Cups in recent history.
Ireland head into this year’s tournament as the highest-ranked rugby team in the world, having won a record-equalling 13 matches in a row over the past 18 months. Their most recent loss was a 42-19 defeat to the All Blacks in the opening test of their Summer Tour to New Zealand last July. They have won every game since, including two wins against the All Blacks to win a series in New Zealand for the first time. Wins against South Africa and France, as well as a Six Nations Grand Slam, have helped cement Ireland’s position as the best team in the World.
The travelling squad of 33 players was named by Head Coach Andy Farrell on August 27, with late-breaking news that veteran prop Cian Healy will miss the World Cup due to a calf injury. Munster’s Jeremy Loughman has, therefore, been selected as Healy’s replacement.
Other than Healy’s omission, there were no real surprises in Andy Farrell’s squad announcement. Farrell has opted to select 18 forwards and 15 backs, unlike South Africa and France, who have both picked an extra forward to opt for a 19-14 split.
Johnny Sexton will Captain Ireland at this year’s World Cup, following in the footsteps of Rory Best and Brian O’Driscoll before him. Arguably, Ireland’s best-ever player, Sexton, has been missing in action since March due to injury and a recent suspension following the 2023 Champions Cup Final. The fly-half has stated that he will retire after this World Cup, fueling an already blazing fire.
Arguably, Ireland’s best-ever player, Sexton, has been missing in action since March due to injury and a recent suspension following the 2023 Champions Cup Final. The fly-half has stated that he will retire after this World Cup, fueling an already blazing fire.
As far as Ireland’s chances of winning the World Cup are concerned, it is a seriously tough route to the final, given the lob-sided nature of the Pool draw. Ireland sit in Pool B with South Africa and Scotland, the 2nd and 5th best sides in the world. If Ireland are able to progress to the Quarter Finals they will then face either France or New Zealand from Pool A in what will be a final-worthy game.
Ireland would play a more favourable opponent in the Semi-Finals, but will their previous exploits come back to bite them? They must strike a balance when facing South Africa and Scotland in the Pool stages so as to leave enough in the tank for the remainder of the tournament.
The controversy surrounding the decision to pool teams three years out from a World Cup has been well documented, and with the top five teams all falling on the same side of the draft, it is easy to see why change is needed.
Whilst it will be difficult, this Irish side has proved more than capable of beating any side in the world on any given day.
Whilst it will be difficult, this Irish side has proved more than capable of beating any side in the world on any given day.
So, on that note, Ireland can win the World Cup... but will they? I guess we’ll have to wait and see.