This is the best Irish side ever to contest a Rugby World Cup but Andy Farrell will need the bulk of his key men to stay fit if they are to prevail over South Africa, France and New Zealand
That decision has since been cast under a cloud given the convictions against several of those who contributed to the French bid, but ultimately it’s hard not to believe that, for whatever reasons, World Rugby chose correctly and that Ireland, in truth, dodged a bullet given the Covid pandemic which hit the world in 2020.
Here in Ireland, the tournament fills a post-summer void and all 48 matches will be televised live and free-to-air on RTÉ and Virgin Media Television. The opening game on Friday September 8th between France and New Zealand will be on RTÉ2, while both channels will televise the final on Saturday October 28th.
Les Bleus ended a decade of underachievement in the Six Nations by winning their first Grand Slam in a decade last year. They have a new generation of brilliant players led by the incomparable Antoine Dupont. It is possible that they will turn to another of the creative Toulouse core, Thomas Ramos, as Dupont’s half-back partner rather than at fullback, where his brilliance has finally converted the head coach into a believer.
The opening match may also be a pointer towards refereeing priorities. Each World Cup seems to reveal a new trend and, judging by the warm-up games, officials are picking up on any transgression by the attacking side at close-range lineouts. Come the final weekend of warm-up games, the world champions produced the biggest statement win of this World Cup cycle. The Springboks’ maul and scrum obliterated the All Blacks pack and Canan Moodie’s first Test in his formative position at outside centre added to their X-factor.
True, that could make them a dangerous beast in that intriguing World Cup opening Friday night against France. With Italy, Uruguay and Namibia also in Pool A, it looks like a free hit, particularly so for the All Blacks. Ben Earl, Jack Willis and Freddie Steward of England following the pre World Cup Test defeat to Fiji at Twickenham. It was struggling England's first ever loss to a Tier Two rugby nation. Photograph: David Rogers/Getty Images
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