2023 World Cup draw

[Oldschool]

Ireland's match schedule.
v European Qualifier - Russia probably - Bordeaux
v Asia/Pacific Qualifier - Tonga or Samoa - Nantes
v SA in Paris
v Scotland in Paris.

Scotland play their opening game against SA in Marseille.
More details on the national broadcaster's website.

[Fireworks]

Ireland's match schedule.
v European Qualifier - Russia probably - Bordeaux
v Asia/Pacific Qualifier - Tonga or Samoa - Nantes
v SA in Paris
v Scotland in Paris.

Scotland play their opening game against SA in Marseille.
More details on the national broadcaster's website.

SA will be happy. Pig of a draw for us.

[Twist]

Ireland's match schedule.
v European Qualifier - Russia probably - Bordeaux
v Asia/Pacific Qualifier - Tonga or Samoa - Nantes
v SA in Paris
v Scotland in Paris.

Scotland play their opening game against SA in Marseille.
More details on the national broadcaster's website.

A dreadful schedule to go with an awful draw

[Ruckedtobits]

Well that was as expected.

Pool A
New Zealand
France
Italy
Americas 1
Africa 1
Pool B
South Africa
Ireland
Scotland
Asia / Pacific 1
Europe 2
Pool C
Wales
Australia
Fiji
Europe 1
Final Qualifier Winner
Pool D
England
Japan
Argentina
Oceania 1
Americas 2

Within the past 6 weeks, only France of the top eight ranked nations has remained unbeaten. Add in the possibility that Japan, Fiji, Italy, Samoa or Tonga (both with benefit from revised eligibility) could claim a shock Pool result and it becomes evident that RWC2023 in 13 months time could be the most competitive ever.

Clearly the Pool results will be crucial but slip-ups could see quarter-final surprise line-ups. From an Irish perspective, there's a long road ahead with our No 1 ranking an unexpected burden to carry through the Autumn, and hopefully, through the 6 Nations.

Great experience but hopefully a target on our backs that we can ignore and hope that others do too. I'm looking forward to the remaining games in the Rugby Championship, now that NZ & SA have set out their stalls. Both countries have demonstrated how fallible they are to a good Game Plan combined with discipline and real intent. Likewise Argentina and a Rennie-inspired Australia have shown that with anything less that a clear focus they can capitalise with lightning scoring ability.

Lots to look forward to and a fascinating 14 months ahead.

[Ruckedtobits]

The appointment of Joe Schmidt as Attack Coach to Ian Foster's NZ Squad should set bells ringing among all World Cup coaching teams. Although some Irish media appeared to have an agenda to diminish his achievements in his final years as Head Coach in Ireland, his track record is predominantly one of success, whether as Head Coach or Assistant Coach.

Schmidt's record in either role is exemplary and his Wikipedia entry is an extraordinary catalogue of achievement and success with every group with whom he has had a hands-on coaching role.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Sch ... gby_union)

New Zealand will be a better team for his presence and, once again, will be among the favourites for World Cup success.

[jezzer]

At the very least Schmidt will get them to remember how to pass again. Never ever seen a NZ side with such scattergun passing skills.

[jezzer]

Well that was as expected.

Pool A
New Zealand
France
Italy
Americas 1
Africa 1
Pool B
South Africa
Ireland
Scotland
Asia / Pacific 1
Europe 2
Pool C
Wales
Australia
Fiji
Europe 1
Final Qualifier Winner
Pool D
England
Japan
Argentina
Oceania 1
Americas 2

Within the past 6 weeks, only France of the top eight ranked nations has remained unbeaten. Add in the possibility that Japan, Fiji, Italy, Samoa or Tonga (both with benefit from revised eligibility) could claim a shock Pool result and it becomes evident that RWC2023 in 13 months time could be the most competitive ever.

Clearly the Pool results will be crucial but slip-ups could see quarter-final surprise line-ups. From an Irish perspective, there's a long road ahead with our No 1 ranking an unexpected burden to carry through the Autumn, and hopefully, through the 6 Nations.

Great experience but hopefully a target on our backs that we can ignore and hope that others do too. I'm looking forward to the remaining games in the Rugby Championship, now that NZ & SA have set out their stalls. Both countries have demonstrated how fallible they are to a good Game Plan combined with discipline and real intent. Likewise Argentina and a Rennie-inspired Australia have shown that with anything less that a clear focus they can capitalise with lightning scoring ability.

Lots to look forward to and a fascinating 14 months ahead.

Interested to know why you think our number 1 ranking is a burden?

I'd have thought that for this group it would be nothing but a big motivational boost and there's nobody better than Faz and POC to keep it that way.

[Ruckedtobits]

My reference to "an unexpected burden" is really nothing more than reminiscence on NZ Coach Steve Henson's response when asked about Ireland's previous ascent to that position, prior to RWC2019 "Let's see how they go, when they've been carrying it on their backs for 6 months".

Based on our first journey with the ranking, Ireland did find it a burden. However, you may well be right that Faz and this Squad may well relish possession of this tag.

[jezzer]

We're only getting into the RC, so this is a bit early. But because all the RC teams have shown their teeth so far, maybe it's not a bad time to look at the relative strength of the 4 RWC pools and especially the strength of the 3rd seeded team. They're the ones who determine how tough the pool really is. Latest world rankings of the top 3 in each pool combined and of the 3rd team...

The results are pretty marked. B stands for bitch in our Pool's case. Scotland might have come off a losing Arg tour and with questions hanging over Townsend, but with Kinghorn at 10, a test level midfield for once and proper depth in the pack, they look set for the one thing that's eluded them for 25 years - consistency. They didn't get out of our pool in 2019 and they've not been to a SF since the 90s, but they're closer to the top 4 teams than they've ever been since then, arguably. They're also good at gamplanning for opponents. I thought they executed v well against us in the 6N, where they rushed the pod of 3 and took the carrier high/low to force a ruck and stop the pass.

Pool D isn't the next strongest cumulative group but with Jpn as team 3, it's also a tough ask. I watched the two France tests and Japan were unlucky not to win one, maybe even both. Their ranking suffers from lack of games against teams they could realistically beat, but they're a good side who are building some depth along the spine of the team and have a great coach.

Pool A looks strong on paper, but Italy should be a cakewalk for NZ and France. Their win against Wales was nice to see, but let's not fool ourselves that they can compete with the top 4.

Finally, Fiji won a single closerun game in the Pacific Nations Cup in which they were hockeyed by Oz A. It'll be an embarrassment if they put up any resistance to Wales or Oz next year. They've two impossible Nov games against us and England and 2023 probably won't be any easier.

Pool A 250 pts Team 3: 73.29
Pool B 260 pts Team 3: 81.93
Pool C 238 pts Team 3: 75.08
Pool D 245 pts Team 3: 77.74

[Twist]

I strongly agree with you on Scotland. Anyone in Ireland looking past them is making a big mistake. I can't see them coping with SA's bulk, so the game against us will be their World Cup final.

[Ruckedtobits]

We're only getting into the RC, so this is a bit early. But because all the RC teams have shown their teeth so far, maybe it's not a bad time to look at the relative strength of the 4 RWC pools and especially the strength of the 3rd seeded team. They're the ones who determine how tough the pool really is. Latest world rankings of the top 3 in each pool combined and of the 3rd team...

The results are pretty marked. B stands for bitch in our Pool's case. Scotland might have come off a losing Arg tour and with questions hanging over Townsend, but with Kinghorn at 10, a test level midfield for once and proper depth in the pack, they look set for the one thing that's eluded them for 25 years - consistency. They didn't get out of our pool in 2019 and they've not been to a SF since the 90s, but they're closer to the top 4 teams than they've ever been since then, arguably. They're also good at gamplanning for opponents. I thought they executed v well against us in the 6N, where they rushed the pod of 3 and took the carrier high/low to force a ruck and stop the pass.

Pool D isn't the next strongest cumulative group but with Jpn as team 3, it's also a tough ask. I watched the two France tests and Japan were unlucky not to win one, maybe even both. Their ranking suffers from lack of games against teams they could realistically beat, but they're a good side who are building some depth along the spine of the team and have a great coach.

Pool A looks strong on paper, but Italy should be a cakewalk for NZ and France. Their win against Wales was nice to see, but let's not fool ourselves that they can compete with the top 4.

Finally, Fiji won a single closerun game in the Pacific Nations Cup in which they were hockeyed by Oz A. It'll be an embarrassment if they put up any resistance to Wales or Oz next year. They've two impossible Nov games against us and England and 2023 probably won't be any easier.

Pool A 250 pts Team 3: 73.29
Pool B 260 pts Team 3: 81.93
Pool C 238 pts Team 3: 75.08
Pool D 245 pts Team 3: 77.74

Certainly agree re Scotland. Don't see any 4th ranked team with a sniff of a result. But it's no easy ride for us.

[SoupyNorman]

Portugal earn a draw with a last minute penalty against USA to secure their place in the World Cup.

https://www.the42.ie/portugal-v-usa-5924172-Nov2022/

[Oldschool]

As has been said elsewhere the IRFU need Ireland, for purely finance reasons, to do well in the 6Ns.
The burden last time hit us badly last time out, this time the "we'll show them attitude" or "little man syndrome" might kick in.
So a good 6Ns would leave us well set.

[Morf]

Portugal earn a draw with a last minute penalty against USA to secure their place in the World Cup.

https://www.the42.ie/portugal-v-usa-5924172-Nov2022/

Really bad for N American rugby with Canada tanking and US not seeming to improve despite MLR.

[brotheroffrank]

I think probably the only truly happy team out of that draw would be England. A tough group yes, but if they get out of it they'd be confident to beat Australia or Wales.

"if they get out of it" ..."they'd be confident" ... now that Gatland replaces Pivac will the RFU vote confidence in Eddie Jones....?

[brotheroffrank]

double post

[Ruckedtobits]

Vern Cotter surprises with resignation from Coach to Fiji.

https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2023/020 ... cup-looms/

A very short time frame for a new man given the difficulties Fiji have in getting their players together due to their distribution around the world. World Rugby should "lean on" Fiji RFU and Wayne Pivac to get together again. A new man just won't have time to get to know them all.

[Twist]

I think probably the only truly happy team out of that draw would be England. A tough group yes, but if they get out of it they'd be confident to beat Australia or Wales.

"if they get out of it" ..."they'd be confident" ... now that Gatland replaces Pivac will the RFU vote confidence in Eddie Jones....?

I can now answer your question

[naraic]

Vern Cotter surprises with resignation from Coach to Fiji.

https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2023/020 ... cup-looms/

A very short time frame for a new man given the difficulties Fiji have in getting their players together due to their distribution around the world. World Rugby should "lean on" Fiji RFU and Wayne Pivac to get together again. A new man just won't have time to get to know them all.

Its been 15.5 years since Pivac was in Fiji. He is essentially a new man.

I suspect someone from Fijian Drua might be the closest thing to an inside man as he would know roughly 40% of the squad from that team.

[Gicater]

Pool B now has 3 of the top 5 teams in the World Rankings.