Our pundits picks for the 2023 Rugby World Cup
Maggie Alphonsi
Who do you think will win the World Cup and why?
My obvious choices would be Ireland or France, especially when you think about world rankings. And with Ireland winning the Six Nations and the performances that they put in throughout the tournament, apart from the close fixture with England, you'd feel that there are very strong favourites. And then France obviously, home tournament, second in the world. They didn't necessarily produce during the Six Nations, but a team you would feel would be ranking quite high up there. And how the teams on the other side fare will be and fairly interesting. England, Australia, Wales. I'm going to say I'm going to say it's between Ireland and France.
Who, whether a team or a player, do you most look forward to watching?
I guess I'll come back to Ireland because of Josh Van Der Flier, I'm a massive fan of his. Obviously I'm back row through and through, so I'm looking forward to seeing him. I'm looking forward to seeing Gregory Alldritt for France. If you look at the European championship cup final with La Rochelle, he was player of the match, and he's just had a good season. Coming back to England, Freddie Steward, I'm hoping Tom Curry is back to his best, obviously he's had lots of injuries this season. I think any of the Sale and saracens players I've got to really talk about. I really hope Ben Earl gets a real good crack at England and I hope he gets a chance to shine, as I'm a big fan of his.
What do you make of the home nations' chances?
Scotland are a side, I think, you almost can't count them out. I mean, they've got some big games - their first match is a massive one against South Africa. Yeah. So you know they've got a tasty pool, but they are a side that I feel like you can't count out they had a good six nations, you know, beat England but continued on from that. For them I hope that they progress out of pool stages into the quarter or semi final. Ireland, World Cups have always been a stumbling block for them. My fair hope is that they do well. England, considering the side of the pool that they've got, you feel that they could make it to the semi finals for sure.
Wales, you feel after what's happened during the Six Nations there is going to be a turnaround. They've lost Ken Owens, a significant loss but they've got some good young players in that setup, who you feel this could be their stage to really perform.
Jonny Wilkinson
Who do you think will win the Rugby World Cup this time and why?
I think it's exciting that Ireland and France should go in with real opportunities, I think both of those could definitely do it. I think however there's a real momentum growing in the Southern Hemisphere at the moment, just with the Rugby Championship and the way that's taking shape, and the quality of those clashes, and that's probably quite powerful for those teams coming in. Going on previous form France and Ireland have shown over and over again that they really deserve to be in with an amazing shout, but the guys who have known how to win the Rugby World Cup the majority of times over the years are quietly going about their business.
Who - whether a team or player - are you looking forward to watching and why?
I love the personalities of all the teams. I think France's energy, their ability to really bring physicality but also that unpredictability and that explosive flair side I really enjoy. I think Ireland have a really powerful structure at the moment. But I think if you want to look at New Zealand, they do have a skill set which is very nice to watch. Mentioning England, it's always so exciting when you know the players, you know what they're capable of, it's exciting to see them go out there and put it together, because you know if they do, it's going to be great. Players-wise, I think for me I'm always interested around the 9-10 area, with Ireland in the Jamison Gibson-Park, someone that's bursting on to the scene. I think Aaron Smith is similar, he's done it before in World Cups and has that experience. You have Dupont for France, so the No9s I think are going to play big roles. I also like No7, back row, so maybe the likes of the Ben Currys and the Ardie Saveas, these guys are going to have a big impact and Ireland have got a fabulous back row. And then finally the beauty of the speed in the back field - I think South Africa have got a guy called Kurt-Lee Arendse who's been on fire, as well as Pennaud for France, who's another one who I would pay a subscription fee to watch weekly.
What do you make of the home nations' chances?
I don't think there's ever been a World Cup that we've gone into with two Home Nations, including France in that Six Nations bracket, genuinely having a very powerful stake to that trophy. Scotland are also in a space where they are immensely challenging at the moment, and Wales are coming in hugely under the radar and we'll have to see how the warm-up games go to see how they're doing. For England I'm also excited, I think when this team plays at its fullest and it turns up on the front foot, and operating with all of that weight in action, then I think that story is going to change very quickly. More so than ever in this World Cup I think the first round of games is going to be a scorcher, so from Day One it's going to be hold-your-breath time.
Greig Laidlaw
Who do you think will win the Rugby World Cup and why?
I think it's going to be tight. I do think Australia have got a very good chance because they're on the right side of the draw, Eddie Jones's history of coaching is the shock and awe factor in terms of getting the job done quickly. So yeah, and I think Australia have very good players as well. So if they get a bit of luck, and keep everybody fit, I think Australia might win.
Who, whether a team or a player, do you most look forward to watching?
France, because they've been playing so well, because they're in their home country, and also that probably ties into their players as well so you know, whether it's like Greg Alldritt, Antoine DuPont, or a guy I played with in France, Damian Penaud. He is absolutely electric, he's great to watch and a strong figure in the French team.
What do you make of the home nations' chances?
Well, I think obviously Ireland are probably looking to be the favourites, obviously there was a very strong Six Nations, and deservedly so, they've done it over a long period of time. I think Scotland are in a pretty good spot as well, to be honest. So I think if Scotland can stay injury free, they are going to give themselves a chance to get out of the group at least, and then hopefully they can progress from there. And I don't think England will be far away, to be honest. Steve Borthwick is a very good coach, England have got good players. And probably Wales you know will be coming up behind the rest at this moment in time, with the struggles they have had.
Brian O'Driscoll
Who do you think will win the Rugby World Cup this time and why?
South Africa - as three-time champions they know how to play Rugby World Cup winning rugby and I don’t want to put the hex on Ireland.
Who - whether a team or player - are you looking forward to watching and why?
I'm looking forward to watching Tonga and Samoa with their returning All Blacks coming home to play.
What do you make of the home nations' chances?
I think Ireland have the best chance of the British and Irish sides although don’t discount England with a more favourable route to the semis - once they are there they can win it with growing confidence.
Sam Warburton
Who do you think will win the Rugby World Cup?
I said in the Six Nations I thought whoever had home advantage in the Ireland and France game was going to win. So having home advantage, Ireland won that game. I still think that's the same. So I think France being at home, I think the Stade De France will be like a carnival every home game, and it's going to take an almighty performance to beat them at home.
Who, whether a team or a player, do you most look forward to watching?
Team, I'd say Australia, because I think there's been a lot of rugby that's been played up north this year and we've all taken our eye off the southern hemisphere as if they're not around. I think there's going to be some great performances from New Zealand they're always going to be around, and South Africa. I don't think Australia are going to probably win the World Cup. But the team they've got, and the players they've got, they're going to be capable of a big upset and are probably gonna go further most people think. And with the whole Eddie Jones going back I just think it makes a good story as well.
What do you make of the Home Nations' chances?
I think Ireland have got the ability to win it, England have got the ability to get to a semi-final, Scotland and Wales will need a very good run to get to the quarters.
Lawrence Dallaglio
Who do you think will win the World Cup and why?
You have to look at the odds in the tournament and six out of nine of the World Cups have been won by South Africa and New Zealand, two thirds of those tournaments have been won by two teams. So both of those teams are in the mix. They're also both on the same side of the draw, so they could both theoretically be out by the quarter-final stage. When you look at the host nation, France, you look at World Cup history and of the nine World Cups, three have been won by the host nation. So again, that is a factor that has to be considered. Yeah. But the host nation have also got to a final and lost as well. I'm still going to genuinely believe that France and South Africa for me are the two teams that are, at this moment in time, if I was going to pick a team, it'd be one of those two. And then if I was going to pick only one, it would I'd say be France. So if you push me into it, I would say it's between South Africa and France. And the reason I say that is because at this moment in time, I think they've got bigger forwards than anyone on the planet. And they've got incredibly talented players as well. The forwards I think, both sides of the ball, you just need a cannon to get them off the ball.
Who, whether a team or a player, do you most look forward to watching?
There are so many really I'm very excited about watching. Caelan Doris, I think he's certainly the player that has already announced himself as a world class player, but I think from my own position, him and Gregory Alldritt are my sort of two favourite number eights at the moment.
What do you make of the home nations' chances?
England I think will surprise people like they always do, because they've got a point to prove. Steve Borthwick has got a big job on his hands. I think England do quite a lot of good work in their camp. They'll be fitter, stronger, faster, better prepared, and if they win their group I think I could conceivably see England getting to a semi final with a bit of rugby left in them. I do think Ireland can win the World Cup. But I think going into a tournament as the number one side of the world is a different pressure. They've always gone into a World Cup with a sort of tag that they're underachievers, really. But now they're not underachievers, they're actually overachieving, they're playing really well. But I can tell you from my own experience, when you're the number one side, it's a different pressure. It still relies on them keeping some of their key players fit. They've got depth to their squad. There's a bit of a question mark around Jonny Sexton about how many games he's gonna get banned for because he probably will pick up a ban. Wales we don't know because Warren Gatland probably doesn't know at this stage, everyone's writing them off, which is a good thing for them. But I wouldn't write them off completely. I think if they got out of their pool, and they gave Australia a good game, who knows you know what's possible and they've performed well in World Cups of late. Scotland are a dark horse without a doubt - they could conceivably turn the tournament on its head in the opening weekend, beat South Africa you know, everyone's looking at France, New Zealand, but you know, that could be the game that they were they could spring a few surprises and anything can happen.
Ugo Monye
Who do you think will win the World Cup and why?
I think the team who are the favourites to win the World Cup are the current holders, South Africa. They have an enormous ability to be able to score tries, to put points on the board. I think whoever wins the World Cup this year will probably be the top try scorer and South Africa are most definitely in that bracket.
Who, whether a team or a player, do you most look forward to watching?
Ireland are the number one side in the world. They were number one side of the world in 2018 and the build up to 2019 and they still are yet to go past the quarter finals. Those learnt lessons I think will probably put them in a really good position. France are the hosts and have been sensational over the last couple of years. As a football fan, I go back to 1998 when they had the hologram of Zidane on the Arc de Triomphe and there's a million people on the Champs-Elysee, I think that's part of the history which they will lean upon and try to unify. And the other one would be the All Blacks. This must be the first World Cup they've not gone into as favourites, their coach is leaving at the end of it and the timing of that could have a disruptive effect, but probably more so a galvanising effect.
What do you make of the Home Nations' chances?
Scotland in isolation have been a team that have been able to string together big performances and put together some incredible results and start rewriting their own history. So they're brilliantly positioned but their group is unfortunately potentially a group of death. England, despite the poverty of their performances over the last couple of years, are I think in a strong place. They're also not spoken about - I think a huge aspect of sport is pressure, and England currently don't have it. Same for Wales. Warren Gatland is a serial winner knows how to manage big tournaments.
Sean Fitzpatrick
Who do you think will win the World Cup and why?
I think there's a number of teams that could win the World Cup, but I think at the moment, although the Irish are number one in the world, I think the team that is number two, currently France, would go in as favourites. I think playing at home is an advantage. They've had great success over the last few years. They have probably the best club competition in the world, that delivers quality international players.
Who, whether a team or a player, do you most look forward to watching?
I'm obviously quite interested to see how the All Blacks do, we've got a number of new players. We've probably had a difficult, you know, four years in terms of what happened in Japan after that semi-final against England. And it's been a slow build. I think COVID probably hit New Zealand harder than than most other rugby nations, in that we basically played against ourselves. And I think we've had a bit of a knock-on effect and it wasn't really until last year that that got exposed when we got beaten by the Irish. I'm quite happy that a lot of people aren't talking about the All Blacks that we're under the radar if we could be.
What do you make of the home nations' chances?
Wales and England have been helped with the draw. I think Ireland and Scotland being in the same pool, along with South Africa and Tonga, are going to find it very difficult. And although they've built huge depth I think Ireland has just been phenomenal with what they've achieved in the last 18 months, two years, but I just think that is such a difficult pool to get out of. It's all dependent probably on that first game against Argentina for England, whether they can just progress straight through it to the semi-final. With Wales, they've got Fiji first up. That could be a telling factor in terms of the state that apparently they're in. You hear from Warren Gatland they're in great shape, but he would say that.
George Gregan
Who do you think will win the World Cup and why?
I think France will win the World Cup. The reason is they've just got a really good young team who I think learned a lot from getting into the quarter-final in 2019. And I think, from my perspective, sometimes you need to have a disappointing experience at a World Cup to get that experience to make you hungry for the next one. I think they definitely had that.
Who, whether a team or a player, do you most look forward to watching?
I always keep an eye on the Australian team just to see how they're tracking with Eddie Jones and seeing how they will go in on their side of the pool. No-one's talking about them much, which I think is a good thing. Antoine Dupont to me is just a wonderful player. Can kick off both feet, always really, really calm and composed leads by example and I think he will really rise to the occasion with those big moments.
What do you make of the home nations' chances?
I think Scotland are going to be dangerous. No one's really talking about that, they're talking about Ireland. I think they showed in the Six Nations this year the ability to back up. They beat England, and then they backed up the following week at Murrayfield and I think they're getting more and more comfortable playing against anyone in the world and playing their game. I think Ireland have proven for probably a good year and a half now that they're the best team in the world, that playing style which is super disciplined, they can hold on to the ball for long periods of time. I expect them, if they get past a quarter final, which they've never done, they're two matches away from being world champions. Wales, I just think they're going in a struggle, particularly on that side of the pool. I think England are always going to be good - World Cup history shows that they do well in World Cups.
Nolli Waterman
Who do you think will win the Rugby World Cup this time and why?
I think this will be the most competitive Rugby World Cup that there has ever been. The fact that the quarter-finals are reasonably hard in some pools to predict, especially who comes first and second, makes it exciting already. With France playing such incredible rugby and being a home nation, is awesome but I do think that the All Blacks will lift the trophy.
Who - whether a team or player - are you looking forward to watching and why?
I am most definitely excited to watch Tonga play. Yes they're in an incredibly difficult pool but I believe with the players that will now be representing Tonga, whether it's the three former Wallabies that played in the 2019 World Cup or the long list of former All Black, They have a huge amount of individual talent and I think if they come together and perform as a team, they will be magnificent.
What do you make of the home nations' chances?
Starting with England, I think the work they have is more around the variation that they're going to face in the pool stages with the likes of Argentina - physical, very confrontational - to Japan, who are very well-drilled and execute in such a different way. I think Wales will most definitely get out of the pool, but how well they do in the pool will determine the challenges they face moving forward. I think how Scotland play and their style is brilliant, it's just whether they can be consistent. I think in the pool, South Africa are the team who will struggle more than Ireland, mainly given the huge number of injuries that they've got.
David Flatman
Who do you think will win the Rugby World Cup and why?
It looked like when France played Ireland in the Six Nations, actually in the last 20 Ireland were in better nick, and they just knew their onions a bit better and relied on individuals a little bit less, they looked like a slightly superior machine. I think South Africa are as cohesive at their best as Ireland. But I think they have a far less intricate way of playing rugby, so I think it's probably easier to translate from classroom to field under pressure. So I love the idea of Ireland winning it, love it. But for me, the Boks would be favourites.
Who, whether a team or a player, do you most look forward to watching?
I really want to say someone other than Frans Malherbe the South African tighthead just because I love watching him because in a game of players that have to do it all, Frans Malherbe but doesn't really claim to doing it all at any point. He does one or two jobs very, very well indeed. A massive strong man with great genetics. I like watching him do his work and survive around the field.
What do you make of the Home Nations' chances?
Ireland have a brutal group with Scotland - I would love to be wrong but I see Scotland going out in the group stages. Ireland could win the World Cup. England, absolutely no idea - I think it's easy to say, well, Steve Borthwick is picking Leicester guys, no what he's doing is he's picking guys that he knows best. And one thing he knows about them is that they will stick to a plan. I'd love Wales not to struggle with this World Cup. I'd love them to start with just winning by one point in an amazing first game against Fiji but as we've said about Wales for quite a long time now, they're not in a great place domestically, logistically, financially, all of those things, commercially. But actually, they've got loads of brilliant players. And they've got a coach who really knows his onions.
Clive Woodward
Who do you think will win the Rugby World Cup and why?
I think you've got two standout teams at the moment which are fortunately Northern hemisphere teams. I think France and Ireland are the two standout teams that both played well recently, they'll go in as hot favourites. I think France are the team to beat, someone's going to beat France to win the World Cup. It's like England in 2003, we were number one ranked in the world, favourites to win, no-one could beat us. I think it's the same with France. Playing at home, good team, good coach, Galthié - Edwards. They've got everything going for them. So I think someone's going to happen to France in terms of sending off or something dramatic. Ireland are going to be close, and the Southern hemisphere are all a bit undercooked at the moment but they're gonna be there or thereabouts.
Is there a team or player in particular that you're looking forward to watching this time?
I think from an English point of view, I just like watching England play. Yeah. I know he's one of the more senior players, but Owen Farrell's got such a huge role to play in the World Cup. You know, there's no bigger fan of this guy than me, but he's got to play 10. I think if he plays 10, he's captaining the team, then England have got a chance. I think if Farrell goes well, they should make the semi-finals and then it's a one-off game.
What do you make of the Home Nations' chances?
The draw has been really quite tough on Scotland, especially having this group with South Africa and Ireland, but they've got a good team. I think that this last year's Six Nations was a great tournament, especially France and Ireland did well. England are certainly moving in the right direction, I really do think England are going to do very well to win it, I think they should make the semi-finals. I really hope a Northern Hemisphere team does win the Rugby World Cup because it's been a long time since 2003. I think Wales are a little bit behind Scotland, they've got a tough draw but they've got a good team, make no bones about it. So for the Northern hemisphere I think it should be a great World Cup. And as I say, someone's got to beat France and I'm not sure who.
Gareth Thomas
Who do you think will win the Rugby World Cup this time and why?
I think France will win the World Cup. Having played there I feel as a nation they handle home pressure very, very well. The nation will be fully behind them and as a spectator I always find that in any global sporting event, the better the host nation does, the more enthusiasm, and excitement builds around the tournament, even after a supporter’s number one team is gone, regardless of their nationality, that individual usually starts to support the host team. They have some of the best players individually who play even better together. They also have a stable spine through their team which has stood them in very good stead.
Who - whether a team or player - are you looking forward to watching and why? And what do you make of the home nations' chances?
I’m looking forward to seeing Scotland. After the disappointment of the last World Cup, I feel they have a point to prove individually and collectively. They are in a group of death, which means any team can cause an upset, so every point and every second in every game is crucial. I would love them to shock us, like they were shocked in the last World Cup. From a Welsh perspective I’m looking forward to seeing some of the young guns perform. Tommy Reffell, and Sam Costelow. These are forming the future of Welsh rugby in two very vital positions, seeing if they can repeatedly perform at the highest level in a quick turnaround will dictate whether they can fulfil their potential.
Jamie Roberts
Who do you think will win the World Cup and why?
For some reason, and this is my gut telling me, Australia. There's just something about Australia. I think they've got all the ingredients to win the tournament. I'm calling Australia to beat the All Blacks in the final.
Who, whether a team or a player, do you most look forward to watching?
I'm looking forward to seeing Fiji and It frustrates me that they play Wales first off actually as a huge game for us. But Fiji now, a quarter of their team now plays for the Fijian Drua. One of those Pacific islands teams is going to make the quarter finals, and I'm not quite sure who it is, whether it's Tonga, Samoa, or Fiji.
What do you make of the home nations' chances?
Scotland, they're going to beat one of the Springboks or Ireland, they will target the Springboks because it's their first game. And if Scotland can replicate the form of the Six Nations, I think they could well beat the Springboks, with their ability to play with ball and hand and score tries. Ireland have got to win five big games on the bounce to win the tournament, and I'm not quite sure they have the depth to win five big games. That side of the draw is brutal. We know this tournament is attritional, and teams lose players, you know, they just hope for Ireland so they don't lose their pivotal players.
Shane Williams
Who do you think will win the Rugby World Cup this time and why?
Ireland being the number one team in the world, have to be talked about. But as far as I'm concerned, France who have the World Cup in their back garden, I spent a bit of time in France this year and last year, the whole country's buzzing and with 'Dupont For President' and all this, they're certainly confident of their team and why not? But having watched the Rugby Championship now, typical New Zealand look a force to be reckoned with. I think it would be between those two (France and New Zealand) and the fairytale would be that France can win the World Cup in their own backyard.
Who - whether a team or player - are you looking forward to watching and why?
I'm always going to keep my eye on wingers, I'm a big fan of Cheslin Kolbe, I know he's had his injuries and I hope that he can hit the World Cup running, fully fit, and he's the kind of player I enjoy watching. I think Darcy Graham in Scotland is a great little player as well, I watched him against Italy - he's a player of my stature, very greedy, he takes players on, brave in defence, good footwork. Mark Telea for the All Blacks, I think he's been superb, he's come into the squad, he's got great feet, again he was superb against Australia alongside Will Jordan. And of course Antoine Dupont in France, he'll certainly be flying the flag for France and leading from the front.
What do you make of the home nations' chances?
We've had a tough time of late in Wales with contract issues and things going on behind the scenes and politics, but there's always a chance. I think it's a little bit soon for this crop of players, for us to go on and win the World Cup, I certainly hope they do - of course they do - but with the fact that Alun Wyn Jones and Ken Owens and players like Rhys Webb have called time on their international careers puts a lot of pressure on the youngsters. I think England are almost in the same position as Wales, Steve Borthwick has come in and he's got a lot of work to do, it didn't go particularly well in the Six Nations, so I wouldn't count them as contenders. And Scotland will be capable of an upset for sure but I don't see they have the strength in depth to win a World Cup. So if there is a team out of the ones we've already mentioned, it probably is Ireland. They just need to take that confidence, keep Sexton fit and wrapped in cotton wool.
Philippa Tuttiett
Who do you think will win the World Cup and why?
It's difficult to look past France, I watched the Top 14 final the other day. Oh my gosh, fantastic rugby but intensity, and desire to play, the ruthlessness - add into that the fact that it's a Home World Cup as well. And then you've got your likes of Dupont coming off the back of that win as well. He's in form, feeling so motivated and confident.
Who, whether a team or a player, do you most look forward to watching?
I'm looking at Fiji with two hats on. So as a Super Rugby fan, I'm really excited to see them play because they have had a lot of development in their game. They're always the exciting throw it around, throw the rugby ball around team, but they've lacked that game management. They could be a wildcard to really progress through this tournament.
What do you make of the home nations' chances?
Let's start with the Welsh because that is my main interest. I'm really not sure how well they're going to do, I hope that they progress through their pool but I can't honestly see them progressing further than the quarters. For Ireland, this should be theirs - everything is written in the stars for them. Scotland have got a tough side of the pool, but they've got good players. They've been playing great rugby, so I think they would be disappointed if they didn't get into the knockouts. I could easily see England getting into a final as I could see them being knocked out in the quarters again. The only team I really am convinced about is Ireland, and it will be sort of theirs to lose, to not progress in the tournament.
Topsy Ojo
Who do you think will win the Rugby World Cup and why?
If England don't win it, I'm going to go for South Africa. I think the way they play the game is suited for tournament rugby. Very efficient, very clinical, and as defending champions, I back them to repeat it if England don't.
Who, whether a team or a player, do you most look forward to watching?
Antoine Dupont, definitely. Really looking forward to seeing him. Cheslin Kolbe as well, South Africa, very much looking forward to seeing him in action as well.
What do you make of the home nations' chances?
Probably the strongest they've been, collectively. I think Ireland being top of the tree will have a huge part to play. I think England, Scotland, Wales won't be looked at as seriously which actually could play into their favour because they just go about their business a bit under the radar. I say Scotland, Wales have got very tough pools to get through. But you get through the pools, anything can happen. I think England will be quietly glad that they're on the other side, may come through their pool and be in with a good shout.
Ben Kay
Who do you think is going to win the World Cup and why?
I think France are going to win the World Cup. They haven't always dealt with home advantage well, in 2007 I was part of that team that beat them in the semis, but I think it's a different French team in terms of their confidence.
Who, whether a team or a player, do you most look forward to watching?
I really want to see how Tonga and Fiji do. I think both have electric back lines. But actually, I don't think Tonga, I could be proved wrong, I don't think they'll get out of the group. Because they're just in the group of death. But I think they will decide the group. You could very much see Scotland potentially beating South Africa and then losing to Tonga.
What do you make of the home nations' chances?
Obviously Scotland and Ireland being in the same group and alongside South Africa, Tonga - it's such a hard task for them. I think Ireland aren't quite as confident as they were maybe a year ago. Scotland, as I said, could easily beat South Africa and then lose to Tonga, lose to Ireland. Just because of the difficulty of that group. There's a bit of nerves in Wales, we've got a lot of friends there, and they're very worried about the Fiji game. But if they get through that they're on the right side of the draw, as are England and I think Warren Gatland will feel quite confident about that. From an English perspective, they shouldn't be quite as confident potentially as they will be because Argentina will be a tough challenge for them. But if they win that they should get into the semi-finals and then you're two games away from winning it.
Sir Ian McGeechan
Who do you think will win the World Cup and why?
I can't look beyond France at the moment, but also know that teams develop through World Cups which I think is the other fascinating thing. But I think France are well coached, They've come through very consistently over the last three, four seasons now since the last World Cup. It's probably the team that's developed best I think, and they are strong right through the team. So if they hold it together, and it's not the pressure of playing a World Cup in France, they're the ones that I would think will be winning a final.
Who, whether a team or a player, do you most look forward to watching?
I'd like to see Scotland go well because I think they're playing some of the most exciting attacking rugby. But also, World Cups have always been good for Australia, they bring something to the tournament simply because of the quality of their players and how they respond to World Cups. Tonga, I think will be a dark horse team in that group. And Ireland I would love to see you do well, as well as Scotland. Simply because they've been so consistent. And some of the rugby they've produced is different to the way other teams have approached it. A lot of credit to Andy Farrell for that.
What do you make of the home nations' chances?
I think the big challenge for Scotland and Ireland is the draw, obviously, when you've got the top five teams in the same half of the draw it will lead to some very good pool games. I think England and Wales will be very pleased and I think they'll be quietly confident, you know, if I was Steve Borthwick or Warren Gatland to think that certainly a quarter-final or even a semi-final is there with with two very good games.
Bryan Habana
Who do you think will win the Rugby World Cup this time and why?
Given that this is in my opinion going to be the most competitive RWC that we have ever seen, it’s so difficult to call a winner. We have seen injuries to some key players who will miss out but I really like the fact that South Africa are going into this RWC as a bit of an underdog. Despite losses against both Ireland and France in November last year, I was extremely encouraged about the type of rugby that the Boks were playing and with some exciting and talent youngsters being given an opportunity as well as some proper hard men upfront, I honestly think that they can do what’s necessary to win the tournament.
Who - whether a team or player - are you looking forward to watching and why?
Four years on from RWC2019, Antoine Dupont continues to show the world what a phenomenal player he is and with the tournament being in his backyard, I can’t wait to see how he performs at rugby’s greatest showpiece!
What do you make of the home nations' chances?
With England and Wales on the 'easier' side of the draw, their route to at least a semi final does seem a bit more simple but with Argentina in the mix, that’s also not that simple. Ireland and Scotland in a pool with South Africa is definitely the more challenging of the draws but Ireland are in my opinion the best placed home nation to summit the RWC challenge and get their hands on that elusive Webb Ellis trophy.
Rory Best
Who do you think will win the Rugby World Cup this time and why?
I think Ireland are going to win the Rugby World Cup because they have been playing the best rugby for the past 12-18 months, they're a very complete team, they can play in different styles, they can take teams on physically but they play with a lot of precision and accuracy and speed. And also they have now developed a lot of depth."
Who - whether a team or player - are you looking forward to watching and why?
I'm looking forward to seeing Fiji play. Having done a little bit of work with them a couple of years ago, you understand how skilful and talented these guys are. They're going to get plenty of preparation put into the World Cup and some world class players, like Sam Matavesi, Viliame Mata, Semi Radradra, Josh Tuisova, so really looking forward to seeing what they can do in what will be a really open group with Wales, Australia and Georgia.
What do you make of the home nations' chances?
I think the home nations' chances are good, as I said previously I think Ireland have a very good chance of winning it, England have a very favourable draw. I think Scotland have a hard draw from an Irish point of view, but also South Africa in that group. And Wales like England are coming from a very open side of the draw in terms of teams potentially struggling a little bit for form and results. And so the home nations have a really good chance this World Cup. But to broaden it out slightly, I really hope that we have a Northern Hemisphere winner. I think we've, over the number of World Cups we've had, the number of Northern Hemisphere winners doesn't reflect where the game is. So if it's not going to be a home nation, hopefully there will be a Northern Hemisphere winner.
Scott Hastings
Who do you think will win the Rugby World Cup or why?
I'm gonna go for France, purely and simply because home advantage really tells. They've become such an expansive rugby team, very skillful, very disciplined and I just believe they've got a real understanding of each other. They've been through some really tough games. And the Shaun Edwards factor is part of it, but also there's a real steel within them. And so for me home advantage, but there's another five teams that I think can really win this World Cup as well. And when it gets to the knockout stages, anything can happen.
Who, whether a team or a player, do you most look forward to watching?
I'm really looking forward to seeing Fiji play. And the reason for saying that is they do play some phenomenal rugby. They've got some brilliant athletes like Viliame Mata, who is an Edinburgh player, a great number eight and such a skilful player who epitomises the way they can play the game. And we've seen in the southern hemisphere the Drua side doing particularly well in the Super Rugby series, and if there's a discipline around that Fiji team, can they provide the shock within the tournament in much the same respects as Japan did in 2015?
What do you make of the home nations' chances?
Ireland and Scotland are in the same pool along with South Africa, the defending champions, so it's gonna be really tough for Scotland to to jump out of that pool without any shadow of a doubt. You've got incredible talent with the Irish rugby team, very well drilled, very well coached. Number one rugby team in the world. It's all about momentum. Can they build that momentum? For England, they're going under the radar a little bit with Steve Borthwick. I think they can get their systems in place, they need to get their tournament off to the right start. For Wales we know about the building blocks that Warren Gatland is trying to put in place - you take away the Alun Wyn Jones, the Tipurics of the world, it could be a tough competition for them.