Rugby World cup 2023 Pool A Guides, Preview, Fixtures

Welcome rugby enthusiasts to our comprehensive guide and preview of Pool A for the upcoming Rugby World Cup 2023! With excitement building and anticipation reaching fever pitch, we delve into the thrilling world of international rugby as we explore the teams set to compete in this fiercely competitive pool. From powerhouses like New Zealand and France to underdogs like Uruguay, each team brings their own unique style and determination to leave an indelible mark on this prestigious tournament. So grab your jerseys, put on your game faces, and join us as we navigate through the exhilarating challenges that lie ahead in Pool A!

France and New Zealand’s electric rivalry is set to provide an exhilarating opening night for the second tournament hosted in L’hexagone. The two teams have a history of producing captivating clashes, with the edge at Rugby World Cups often going to the hosts. All eyes will be on which side nails preparation, selection, and tactics; if they prevail, their boost in confidence could potentially carry them through the rest of the campaign. One must not forget that South Africa suffered a pool stage defeat to New Zealand in 2019 yet went on to lift the trophy.

With defeat unlikely to end the hopes of either nation, it is expected that conservatism will be replaced with positivity and heads-up rugby at the Stade de France. The sport as a whole cannot afford to fluff its lines over the next two months, so France v New Zealand is the safest possible bet to launch the tournament on an upbeat note.

France will be under plenty of pressure and expectations from their home fans as they aim to lift the trophy for the first time. Fabien Galthié and Shaun Edwards have worked hard on strengthening the side’s defence, while Galthié – a former scrum-half himself – puts emphasis on running offloads and unpredictable attacking moves which make them especially difficult to handle. Despite the setback of Romain Ntamack’s injury, Les Bleus enjoy enough depth to cover the loss.

Though Uruguay and Namibia should not be too much of an issue for those two best-ranked nations, Italy, under the leadership of Kieran Crowley, have been making their presence felt. Their near win against France in the Six Nations was a good indication of this. Further proof lies in the comprehensive 57-7 defeat they inflicted on Romania in their last game before the World Cup. However, defeats to Scotland and Ireland prior to that indicate there’s still room for improvement.

The opening match in Paris will determine who takes the lead in Pool A, although being first far from guarantees an easy path ahead considering the strong opposition they will face. South Africa and Ireland are largely expected to make it out of Pool B, with Scotland having the potential to join them. Uruguay hope to re-create their memorable win over Fiji at the previous World Cup while Namibia still seek their first ever victory at a Rugby World Cup, having been present for seven consecutive championships.

Pool A Overview

Pool A in the Rugby World Cup 2023 promises to be a thrilling group, with some of the world’s top teams competing for supremacy. This pool consists of New Zealand, France, Italy, Uruguay, and Namibia. Each team brings its own unique style and strengths to the table.

New Zealand, perennial favorites in any rugby tournament, are known for their exceptional skill and teamwork. With a history of dominance in international rugby, they will undoubtedly be a force to reckon with in Pool A.

France is another powerhouse team that cannot be underestimated. They have a passionate fan base and possess players with incredible flair and creativity on the field. Expect them to put up a strong fight against any opponent.

Italy may not have the same pedigree as New Zealand or France but should not be taken lightly either. They have made significant strides over recent years and can pose a threat if overlooked by their opponents.

Uruguay enters this pool as underdogs but has shown glimpses of potential in previous tournaments. Their determination and resilience could make them tough competitors on any given day.

Namibia rounds out Pool A as perhaps the least-fancied team but still possesses talented individuals who can create surprises against more established sides.

With such diverse teams colliding in Pool A, fans can anticipate intense battles full of passion, skillful plays, unexpected twists, and unforgettable moments throughout the Rugby World Cup 2023!

France

Coach Fabien Galthié Captain Antoine Dupont Best RWC finish Runners-up 1987, 1999, 2011.

Key Player : A classically French-style No 9 with a modern twist, Antoine Dupont, leads from the front and dictates the attack.

Under Fabien Galthié’s excellent guidance, France has become an exceptionally unified team that plays a clear game. They boast a potent combination of attacking flair, brute force and defensive might, embodied by centres Gaël Fickou and Jonathan Danty. From the mighty Uini Atonio to the young yet sublime Louis Bielle-Biarrey and the ever-threatening Damian Penaud, Les Bleus are a hazard everywhere on the field.

New Zealand

Coach Ian Foster Captain Sam Cane Best RWC finish Champions 1987, 2011, 2015.

Key player Richie Mo’unga, the fly-half who makes the team tick and interchanges seamlessly with the full-back Beauden Barrett.

The All Blacks’ record-breaking achievements in 2011 and 2015 may be difficult to replicate, yet they stand strong with an emphatic success in the Rugby Championship this year, culminating in a triumphant display against the world champions, South Africa. The stinging loss to South Africa ahead of the tournament will no doubt motivate them further. With Richie Mo’unga’s impressive Super Rugby form likely to continue, their magnificently skilled back line could prove formidable.

Italy

Coach Kieran Crowley Captain Michele Lamaro Best RWC finish Pool stage.

Tommaso Allan returns for a third World Cup and aims to unleash the pace of Ange Capuozzo and his teammates.

Following their renowned success in Cardiff in 2022, Italy’s 2023 Six Nations campaign saw them yet again fail to secure a victory. However, it is evident that the Azzurri are making progress under Kieran Crowley. Their increasingly formidable attack caused difficulties for all of their European rivals and their hard-fought loss against France proved they have what it takes to challenge the greatest teams. The lightning-fast winger, Ange Capuozzo, continues to dazzle with his speed and knack for crossing the try line; while the Montpellier pivot Paolo Garbisi is maturing as a player. Although losing Tommaso Menoncello was a major blow, Italy still stands a chance at producing an unexpected result when they face either New Zealand or France in the future.

Uruguay

Coach Esteban Meneses Captain Andrés Vilaseca Best RWC finish Pool stage.

Key Player : Santiago Arata has been playing for Castres in the south of France since 2020, so he brings top-level experience.

Uruguay’s triumph against Fiji in Kamaishi in 2019 was a sensation and Los Teros aim for a third-place finish in the pool to qualify for the next World Cup. After qualifying as the number one team in the Americas region, following victory over USA, signs are positive. With tricky matches booked by France (1 September) and the All Blacks (5 October), their pool campaign is most winnable on 27 September, against Namibia in Lyon.

Namibia

Coach Allister Coetzee Captain Johan Deysel Best RWC finish Pool stage.

Namibia’s most memorable World Cup moment came when Johan Deysel scored a try against the All Blacks in 2015.

Namibia’s victory in their seventh consecutive Rugby World Cup – after twenty-two attempts – would be a remarkable testament of the team’s prowess. Matt Proudfoot, who served as South Africa’s forwards coach prior to being part of England’s backroom team, is now part of the Namibian staff. The centre Johan Deysel’s try against New Zealand during the 2015 tournament in England was the highlight of their run, and they came so close to registering a win that year, losing to Georgia by a single point at Sandy Park. On the downside, 2003 saw them receive an unfortunate 142-0 defeat from Australia in Adelaide.