As the final warm-ups are finished, and final plans are put in place, players get ready to battle it out for the biggest prize in rugby: the Webb Ellis Cup. For those uninitiated to rugby, it might seem like a brutal savage sport where strength and size matter. Big hits from big men. Although these are large components of the game; there is so much more. Pace, power, guile, and brains all come together to make this one of the most beautiful and entertaining sports around. When it’s played in the right fashion, there are few things more encapsulating than a good game of rugby.
With 48 matches played across 51 days, it’s a gruelling, long old game, and the side that will lift the trophy on the 28th October won’t just need skill, but endurance, stamina, and squad depth will play a huge role towards the back end of the tournament.
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Rugby World Cup: The Front Runners
It’s a pretty wide open pack and there is plenty of room for some big upsets; however, there are four nations that will really fancy themselves going into the start of the tournament:
Ireland: Astonishingly, Ireland have never made it past the quarter-final stage of the World Cup. For a nation that has produced so many world-class players, they have been seriously underachieving. However, Andy Farrell’s squad is the world’s top-ranked side. Surely they have to break the curse at some point?
France: As the host nation, the French will have a home crowd advantage. Partner that with gritty defence, some classic French attacking flair, and sprinkle on three or four superstars, and you have yourself a winning formula. The question is whether their squad can carry them all the way; as well as their big players performing.
New Zealand: The All Blacks are always there, or thereabouts. They had a crushing defeat to South Africa during their warm-up, but if anything, it’ll be a shock to the system, and one they might have needed. Could they peak at the perfect time to win their fourth World Cup?
South Africa: They are most people’s favourites for this one. The Springboks are reigning champions and won’t give up their crown easily. They have also been in unbelievable form during the warm-ups and this could well be perfect timing. After thumping New Zealand, their tails will be up, and they’ll be ready to go for two in two.
Rugby World Cup: Best of the Rest
The chasing pack behind these front runners will be quietly confident about their chances of a relative upset. Australia have had a hard time under Eddie Jones, having lost five in five. It could spell the end if they don’t start producing soon. However, the Wallabies always seem to turn up for the big occasions. The same goes for an England side that hasn’t been at its best, but you’d never write them off in a World Cup scenario, even after a home loss to Fiji.
Wales find themselves in a tough group and will be hoping to beat Fiji in their opening game, or it could be looking like an early exit. The Welsh side has been playing well, however, Fiji recorded a famous victory over England at Twickenham, so they’ll be flying high. It’s going to be a crucial opening game for both sides. Finally, Scotland. They find themselves in the hardest group of all with reigning champions South Africa and world number one Ireland. It’s a tough ask to get out, but if they can get out of that, they’ll fancy their chances against anyone.
World Cup Odds
New Zealand @ 3.75
France @ 4.00
South Africa @ 4.33
Ireland @ 6.00
Australia @ 12.00
England @ 15.00
Argentina @ 23.00
Wales @ 41.00
Scotland @ 51.00
World Cup Betting Tips
Top try scorer: Will Jordan @ 8.00
Jordan has been setting the Rugby world alight. Since winning the World Rugby Breakthrough Player Award in 2021 he has gone from strength to strength. The flying Kiwi is sure to bag lots of tries this tournament.
Outright Winners: Ireland @ 6.00
Ireland have been so unlucky in the last few World Cups. Having been dumped out at the quarters in both the 2015 and 2019 tournaments, they are on a revenge tour. They are the number one ranked side in the world and are capable of some incredible rugby. They just need things to line up for them, and this could well be their year.
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