Rating each nation’s probabilities forward of the event

The Rugby World Cup is nearly upon us with the 20 competing groups descending on France forward of the beginning of the event.

On the ultimate weekend of a busy month of warm-up motion, France and South Africa showcased their credentials as contenders with thrashings of Australia and New Zealand respectively, however England sunk additional into the mire with a first-ever defeat to Fiji.

A lopsided draw sees the world’s prime 5 nations within the males’s rankings multi functional half of the draw, opening up a path to the semi-finals for 2 sides from Pool C and Pool D.

And with quite a lot of nations exterior of the normal rugby powers growing shortly, it may but be essentially the most unpredictable and thrilling event but.

Here, The Independent assesses how each nation stacks up forward of the World Cup. Get all the most recent rugby betting websites affords right here and Sign as much as bet365 utilizing The Independent’s distinctive bonus code by clicking right here.

Rugby World Cup energy rankings

Tier one – true contenders:

1. France

There’s moderately little to decide on between the highest 4 sides on this planet, however France, as hosts, nearly get the nod as favourites. The Stade de France was positively bouncing for the warm-up win in opposition to Australia and that form of ambiance may carry Fabien Galthie’s facet by way of the event. Romain Ntamack’s damage is clearly a blow, however there isn’t a drop-off in expertise with Matthieu Jalibert put in because the beginning fly half, and there are few holes on this fabulous French facet’s sport.

2. South Africa

The defending champions look to be in ominous type. There’s actual stylistic readability evident in Jacques Nienaber’s facet, notably with Siya Kolisi again match, whereas Manie Libbok is settling in properly at 10 so as to add additional attacking potential to the backline. Fatigue may but be a difficulty – the Springboks’ gamers have been juggling northern hemisphere membership schedules with southern hemisphere worldwide involvements for the final couple of years – however Nienaber has loads of depth in his 33.

3. Ireland

Top of the rankings and unbeaten for greater than a yr, Ireland are real contenders for the primary time. Consistency-wise, their structured assault and defence are in all probability one of the best on this planet, and although Johnny Sexton must get again in control after his ban, ring rust doesn’t are inclined to hassle the fly half. Andy Farrell’s facet have answered just about each query posed to them within the final couple of years; can they change into the primary Ireland males’s facet to achieve the World Cup remaining 4?

4. New Zealand

The All Blacks have progressed considerably within the final 12 months, however the Twickenham defeat to South Africa confirmed some previous flaws up entrance with a few key personnel lacking. The air of invincibility that New Zealand used to hold is gone, although a multifarious backline has a lot within the toolbox and the tight 5 is vastly improved below Jason Ryan’s tutelage.

Tier two – better of the remaining:

5. Scotland

A barely sluggish exhibiting in opposition to Georgia however Scotland stay in good fettle. In the opposite half of the draw, they’d be near semi-final bankers, however escaping Pool B will likely be powerful for Gregor Townsend’s males. Can they put a whole efficiency collectively in opposition to both Ireland or South Africa?

Tier three – extra questions than solutions:

6. Argentina

Argentina are chugging alongside below the radar, which is able to in all probability swimsuit Michael Cheika high-quality. A frankly brutish group of back-five forwards and tempo to burn out huge, although the Pumas’ scrum is extra wobbly than common. Santiago Carreras could be the key – the frisky fly half continues to be a piece in progress however wants to search out consistency.

7. Australia

Five defeats from 5 to begin Eddie Jones’s second stint in cost, however there have been indicators of promise in opposition to New Zealand and France. A growing energy sport constructed round Angus Bell, Taniela Tupou, Will Skelton and Samu Kerevi, amongst others, may take the Wallabies deep – although inexperience at fly half and elsewhere is a significant concern.

8. Fiji

Rugby’s nice entertainers enter this event higher ready than ever earlier than. The Fijian Drua contingent offers Simon Raiwalui’s facet a spine and cohesion, and the event of a few props has shored up the scrum. Caleb Muntz produced a composed exhibiting with the boot within the Twickenham win – if he can facilitate the unleashing of Fiji’s strike runners, then a deep event run is a risk.

9. England

A disastrous month of warm-up motion for Steve Borthwick as points with damage and self-discipline add to a common air of malaise round English rugby. It is a protracted whereas because the 2019 runners-up performed to potential, however there’s certainly an excessive amount of expertise and expertise inside Borthwick’s squad to make a pool stage exit. That stated, a subsequent assembly with one of many world’s prime 5 nations is unquestionably the restrict of their ambitions.

10. Wales

Signs of life for Wales with a few vivid younger issues coming by way of to enrich the remaining acquainted faces, however Warren Gatland should still be fearful in regards to the composition of a squad quick on top-class expertise. Gatland has backed youth in key areas within the hope of a 2011-style blossoming – the opening pool fixture in opposition to Fiji actually is essential.

Tier 4 – may trigger a shock:

11. Samoa

Perhaps no facet has been extra improved by the adjustments to World Rugby’s eligibility guidelines than Samoa, with Steven Luatua and Lima Sopoaga, amongst others, including class and calm. The Pacific Islanders are properly coached by Seilala Mapusua and quietly have assembled one of many extra full squads within the event – if they will gel absolutely and keep away from accidents to some key people, don’t rule out Samoa incomes a last-eight place.

12. Italy

This Italian workforce is undoubtedly on course however this event could come too quickly for a press release efficiency from the Azzurri with each France and New Zealand of their pool. The bulk of the squad will likely be of their prime in 4 years’ time when Italy will hope to have extra Six Nations success behind them.

13. Georgia

A facet historically constructed round a power-packed group of forwards has extra to it than previous iterations. Davit Niniashvili is a moustachioed menace from full-back whereas Vasil Lobzhanidze, Gela Aprasidze, Tedo Abzhandadze and Luka Matvaka – all 26 or youthful – guarantee loads of creativity within the halves. The win in Cardiff and besting of Italy final yr have raised Georgian hopes of progressing out of their World Cup pool for the primary time, however you worry that Australia, Fiji and Wales all have just a little bit an excessive amount of for Los Lelos when at full energy.

14. Japan

Japan seem a workforce in transition as the tip of Jamie Joseph’s extremely profitable time in cost nears. A squad that so impressed 4 years in the past on residence soil has struggled to regenerate after stalling throughout Covid, and health points within the again 5 of the pack are a priority. Still succesful on their day with their attacking invention, nevertheless it’s powerful to see the 2019 quarter-finalists repeating that achievement.

15. Tonga

Questions at fly half and within the entrance row will concern coach Toutai Kefu in such a tricky pool. George Moala’s ban is a disgrace, too, although Pita Ahki, Malakai Fekitoa and Charles Piutau nonetheless present backline high quality. With a lot concentrate on South Africa, Scotland and Ireland’s battles with each other, Tonga may catch one of many trio off guard – however the prolonged time between fixtures means they’re unlikely to have closely rotated opposition to get after.

Tier 5 – growth the important thing:

16. Uruguay

The return of star scrum half Santiago Arata is welcome information for Uruguay, who surprised Fiji in one of many video games of the World Cup 4 years in the past. Much of the squad that travelled to Japan are again for extra and have loved a productive interval of warm-ups by which Esteban Meneses’s workforce went unbeaten. You fancy that the duty will simply be barely too giant in opposition to Italy, although. The 27 September assembly with Namibia in Lyon must be a variety of enjoyable.

17. Portugal

Portugal seem like constructing properly in the direction of their first World Cup in 16 years, impressing in opposition to the USA and notably Australia A. There’s expertise aplenty within the squad of Os Lobos, with a younger group of out of doors backs that would mild up a fixture or two, although a win will in all probability be past them in Pool C.

18. Namibia

There wasn’t an excessive amount of to decide on between Namibia and Uruguay of their warm-up encounter, with the South Americans taking an eight-point victory however their opponents impressing. Namibia’s Pool A foes must look out for Tiaan Swanepoel’s huge proper boot and the teak-tough Richard Hardwick, however a first-ever World Cup win might need to attend.

19. Chile

This yr’s solely World Cup debutants arrive hoping to indicate their stuff on the largest stage. Fly half Rodrigo Fernandez’s fancy toes will trigger issues for opposing defences, and a squad primarily drawn from the Selknam membership ought to have loads of cohesion. A event expertise must be an enormous constructive for a squad with room to develop.

20. Romania

Romanian rugby is at one thing of a low ebb as their males’s nationwide facet arrive at a ninth World Cup. Former England and Scotland coach Andy Robinson’s resignation got here immediately final December and three defeats from three, together with in opposition to the USA, represents a poor return from their warm-up fixtures. It could also be a case of injury limitation for Romania.