Rugby World Cup Pools 2023: Everything you need to Know
The Rugby World Cup is the pinnacle of the sport, featuring the top rugby teams in the world competing for the championship. France will host the Rugby World Cup from September 8 to October 28, 2023. The teams have been seeded into four pools, and we’ll break down each pool to give you a comprehensive look at the teams who will be competing in the tournament.
Pool A
In Pool A, you’ll find the reigning world champions South Africa and perennial powerhouses New Zealand and France. This pool also has Italy and the up-and-coming rugby powerhouse that is Fiji.
Given their recent success in the Rugby Championship and their 2019 World Cup victory, South Africa is the heavy favourite to win this pool. The Springboks, however, face serious competition from both New Zealand and France. The battle for fourth place will be fought out between Italy and Fiji, with the latter being a potential dark horse to advance to the playoff round.
Pool B
South Africa’s traditional foes are in Pool B, along with Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. Tonga and Romania round out the three teams competing in this group.
Ireland has a good chance of advancing to the knockout round as the pool’s top seed. After making it to the semifinals in 2018, Wales will be looking to take on Ireland this year. Tonga and Romania will be gunning for the win, while Scotland is a dark horse that could pull off an upset.
Pool C
Two European teams, Georgia and Portugal, join the likes of England, Japan, and Argentina in Pool C.
The 2003 World Cup winners, England, are the favorites to win this group. Japan, who famously defeated South Africa in 2015, may cause a shock if they are able to repeat that performance. Expect Argentina to go through the group stage, as they have done often in recent years. Both Georgia and Portugal will be out for revenge as the pool’s underdogs.
Pool D
New Zealand, the only team to win the Rugby World Cup more than once, is the team to beat in Pool D. Australia, Samoa, France, and Italy have all joined them.
New Zealand has the most talent and experience in this group, making them the favorite to win. After a few rough years, Australia and France will seek to get back on track. France will be attempting to upset the All Blacks. Fiji and Samoa are formidable foes who may easily pull off an upset against any of the top teams.
There will undoubtedly be some riveting matchups at the 2023 Rugby World Cup. The world’s best five teams are in Pool A, which bodes well for high-octane competition. All three of Pool B’s competitors-Ireland, Scotland, and Wales-have legitimate chances of advancing to the postseason.
England is attempting to defend their 2003 title in Pool C, where they will face a spirited challenge from Japan and Argentina. While New Zealand sits atop Pool D, the All Blacks will likely face competition from France and Australia. Rugby fans worldwide should expect lots of drama and excitement at the 2023 RWC, since the tournament has a history of throwing curveballs.