You’d be foolish to fancy the French for the World Cup

Because we initially thought NZ… and we still do

So England just missed out on the Women’s World Cup, but hey, what a ride it was. The good news is there’s three rides left in the sort-of-near future, culminating in next year’s Euros. Before that there’s the cricket in India, but starting just shy of a month ahead of that is the William Webb Ellis Trophy.

That’s code for the Rugby World Cup, which kicks off in Paris on September 8th. But we’re not going to waste your time with such well-worn phrases as “s’il vous plaît, what an enigma” (okay, we couldn’t resist), so let’s get on with our predictions, which, as always, are bound to be correct.

New Zealand

That semi-final loss to England four years ago will still be hurting Kiwis everywhere like hell. Nothing short of glory this time around will do, but then that’s a given for the All Blacks in any World Cup year. However, their opening game – the curtain-raiser against hosts France – means that the heat’s well and truly on from the off.

Verdict: In a sea of unpredictability, you can still stick your neck out and say NZ will be champions.

Ireland

Can the perennial quarter-finalists finally translate their Six Nations supremacy into a world cup success story? It’s one of the big questions waiting to be answered at France ’23, but if it’s ever going to happen then surely it’s got to be now.

Verdict: Semi-finals – hey, it beats the quarters at least.

Australia

With coach Eddie Jones already at war with the press, and many firmly believing this is possibly the worst generation of Australian rugby ever, the signs are not good for the Wallabies. It’s tough to see them going very far and heaps more mediocrity beckons.

Verdict: Quarter-finals, then it’s “G’day Qantas.”

Wales

Let’s be honest, Welsh rugby’s at its lowest ebb for decades, and it’s only through name that they’ve even managed to get into this conversation. However, theirs is a relatively trouble-free group, otherwise a first round exit would certainly have been on the cards. They need to enjoy the ride while it lasts.

Verdict: Quarters at best for the Welsh Dragon, we’re afraid to say (and slightly happy at the same time).

Argentina

Whether it’s rugby, football or cricket, there’s always a world cup side that many believe they can beat but everyone fears. In France this autumn that happens to be Argentina. There’s no reason whatsoever that they can’t surprise a few people, but a semi-final would be considered an achievement.

Verdict: They’ll not be emulating their footballing counterparts in a hurry, so the quarters will have to do.

France

It’s considered bad form for a Northern Hemisphere side to go into a world cup having failed to win the Six Nations. If there was pressure on France before March of this year, there’s bucket-loads of it now, which could well be their undoing.

Verdict: The hosts and second favourites going out in the quarter-finals? Yes, you heard it here first!

Scotland

We’ll see just how far Gregor Townsend‘s troops have come very very soon, but they’ll still surely remain the most improved side in world rugby whatever happens. That’s likely to be an early bath, due to the nightmare group they’ve found themselves in.

Verdict: They’ll fail (just) to make the knockout phase, but not before being true to Scottish sport and going out as gallant losers.

South Africa

Not a single nation has successfully defended the World Cup, but then again no one had gone on to land the trophy after losing a group game until Japan 2019. Can the Springboks make history again? Well, they’ve only got better during the last four years and that defence will be as mean as ever.

Verdict: Just missing out on the final this time, which quite frankly is way more than they deserve for their dishwater-dull style of play.

England

The change in personnel came at least two years too late for most people’s liking, so for the first time in a long time, England does not expect. Having said all that, the management, players, and flair are all in place, but essentially this side remains a work in progress.

Verdict: Raw talent to see them through to the semis, which will be seen as a positive, so bring on 2027 (we had to find a way to make this patriotic)!

And that’s our wrap on what should be the most predictably unpredictable Rugby World Cup to-date. Do you agree with the latest raft of Early Whistle forecasts? For your sake, we sincerely hope not.