Check out our team-by-team preview for Pool B of the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Romania
Romania could well find the going tough in Pool B. Ranked as low as 19th and having last played at a World Cup in the 2015 edition in England, there’s little to suggest they will be able to produce much this campaign.
At least they have a pretty rad kit.
Last RWC finish: Fourth in Pool D, 2015
Predicted pool finish: Fifth
Iconic RWC player: Romeo Stefan Gontineac
Coach: Eugen Apjok
Captain: Mihai Macovei
Player to watch: Florin Surugiu
Youngster to watch: Dragoș Ser
Romania announce #RWC2023 squad pic.twitter.com/4t3HYOaAFY
— Mike Pearce Rugby (@MPsportsdragon) August 16, 2023
Tonga
Bolstered by a number of former New Zealand internationals, including Ben Tameifuna, Vaea Fifita and Malakai Fekitoa, as well as former Wallaby Lopeti Timani, the Tongans will definitely look to bring the heat against the big guns in the pool. Of the Tier 2 nations at this year’s event, Tonga are certainly one of the most exciting.
Last RWC finish: Fourth in Pool C, 2019
Predicted pool finish: Fourth
Iconic RWC player: Epi Taione
Coach: Toutai Kefu
Captain: Sonatane Takulua
Player to watch: Sione Vailanu
Youngster to watch: Manu Paea
Meanwhile in Tonga 💥
— Glasgow Warriors (@GlasgowWarriors) August 10, 2023
Two tries and a whole lot of power from the big man @VailanuSione overnight, as Tonga claimed a 28-3 win over Canada.
Sit back and enjoy... pic.twitter.com/QxmCq1tWxT
Scotland
An upset win over either Ireland or South Africa will be magnificent for this highly talented group of Scotsmen, but it does remain unlikely. The early retirement of Stuart Hogg is a blow for the side, but Gregor Townsend still has an outside chance of leading his boys to the quarterfinals for the first time since 2015.
Last RWC finish: Third in Pool A, 2019
Predicted pool finish: Third
Iconic RWC player: Gavin Hastings
Coach: Gregor Townsend
Captain: Jamie Richie
Player to watch: Kyle Steyn
Youngster to watch: Rory Darge
This. is. Scotland 🏴
— Scottish Rugby (@Scotlandteam) August 16, 2023
We're ready for France. Are you?#AsOne pic.twitter.com/iYQCfgnXPH
Ireland
Much will come down to the Springbok clash on 23 September, but regardless the world No 1s will still feel they can become the first Irish outfit to progress beyond the last eight and lift the Webb Ellis. Theirs is a squad stacked with discipline, experience and talent and will take some stopping.
Last RWC finish: Quarterfinals, 2019
Predicted pool finish: Second
Iconic RWC player: Keith Wood
Coach: Andy Farrell
Captain: Jonathan Sexton
Player to watch: Caelan Doris
Youngster to watch: Craig Casey
Ireland's all-time leading try scorer at a Rugby World Cup 🔝☘️
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) July 13, 2021
Enjoy every Keith Earls Rugby World Cup try 🏉 pic.twitter.com/K4Phihpx7i
South Africa
Whether the Boks can cope with the losses of key players Lood de Jager, Lucky Am and Handre Pollard will be telling in their campaign, but they certainly still have enough quality to go on and defend their world title. Their style of play is tailor-made for knockout footy and will stand them in good stead come the playoffs.
Last RWC finish: Champions, 2019
Predicted pool finish: First
Iconic RWC player: Os du Randt
Coach: Jacques Nienaber
Captain: Siya Kolisi
Player to watch: Kurt-Lee Arendse
Youngster to watch: Canan Moodie
Saturday sees Willie Le Roux start at fullback for the third straight match in the Rugby Championship 🇿🇦
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) July 27, 2023
Can the playmaker star for the Springboks in France later this year? 🤔
We've lined up every one of his try assists over the last 12 months 👐 pic.twitter.com/8ZVve8bG6S
Verdict: South Africa and Ireland to qualify
Scotland will definitely be no pushovers and should pose the Boks and Irish big problems, but ultimately they won’t have enough to progress.
