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Rugby World Cup

PREVIEW: 2023 RWC – Pool A

Check out our team-by-team preview for Pool A of the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Antoine Dupont of France
EPA/Christophe Petit Tesson

Check out our team-by-team preview for Pool A of the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

Jamie Moore's Diary - jockey talks Goshen and Ascot rides

Namibia

Although the Welwitschias have played 22 games at the last six World Cups, they are yet to win a game with their best result coming in a 16-17 defeat to Georgia at Sandy Park in 2015. While the likes of New Zealand and France may realistically be too strong for the Southern Africans, a win over Uruguay – and even Italy – could be within reach at this year’s event.

Last RWC finish: Fourth in Pool B, 2019

Predicted pool finish: Fourth

Iconic RWC player: Jacques Burger

Coach: Allister Coetzee

Captain: Johan Deysel

Player to watch: Aranos Coetzee

Youngster to watch: Jay-Cee Nel

Uruguay

Los Teros will enter their fifth World Cups this term looking to avoid a wooden spoon finish in Pool A. They’ll be targeting their matches against Namibia and Italy and looking to add to their three WC wins. Having famously beaten Fiji 30-27 at the Kamaishi Recovery Memorial Stadium in 2019, they’ll be quietly confident this time round.

Last RWC appearance: Fifth in Pool D, 2019

Predicted pool finish: Fifth

Iconic RWC player: Diego Ormaechea

Coach: Esteban Meneses

Captain: Andrés Vilaseca

Player to watch: Agustín Ormaechea

Youngster to watch: Carlos Deus

Italy

Despite the Azzurri having featured in every World Cup since 1987, they are yet to make out of a pool; finishing third at every event bar the 1999 edition. They’ve claimed 13 scalps in 31 matches at the global showpiece and will be aiming for an upset or two in France. Could Kieran Crowley’s men possibly knock over the All Blacks or the tournament hosts?

Last RWC appearance: Third in Pool B, 2019

Predicted pool finish: Third

Iconic RWC player: Sergio Parisse

Coach: Kieran Crowley

Captain: Michelle Lamaro

Player to watch: Paolo Garbisi

Youngster to watch: Ange Capuozzo

France

France have never looked this good, in fact there’s reason to believe this current Les Bleus outfit is the best ever. While the losses of flyhalf Romain Ntamack and loosehead Cyril Baille are a big blow to the side’s chances, there’s enough quality in the rest of the squad to compensate as the three-time runners-up look to become world champs for the very first time.

Last RWC appearance: Second in Pool B, 2019

Predicted pool finish: First

Iconic RWC player: Thierry Dusautoir

Coach: Fabien Galthié

Captain: Antoine Dupont

Player to watch: Greg Alldritt

Youngster to watch: Matthieu Jalibert

New Zealand

Although the All Blacks have been far from their all-conquering selves over the past four years, they seem to have shifted into another gear in 2023, producing some vintage performances that have made the rugby world sit up and take notice again. They are a shoo-in for a place in the last eight where they will tackle either the Springboks or Ireland. On current form, they’d be very confident of knocking either side over.

Last RWC appearance: First in Pool B, 2019

Predicted pool finish: Second

Iconic RWC player: Jonah Lomu

Coach: Ian Foster

Captain: Sam Cane

Player to watch: Scott Barrett

Youngster to watch: Tamaiti Williams

Verdict: France and NZ to qualify

This one is a pretty easy call to make given the gulf in class between France, the Kiwis and the rest of Pool A. There won’t be any upsets here.

Jamie Moore's Diary - jockey talks Goshen and Ascot rides
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