2023-06-15 08:05:50
At the top of the world rankings for almost a year, the XV of Clover hopes this year to erase several decades of frustration in the World Cup. Pampered by the Irish federation, the “green machine”, which relies locally on formidable provincial teams, has something to shake the oval planet.
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Will the tenth Rugby World Cup finally see Ireland reach the semi-finals of the competition ? Since the first edition in 1987, the XV du Trèfle has already played sept quarter-finals, for as many defeats. A long series of setbacks which the current Irish team intends to put an end to, which has been at the top of the world rankings since July 24, 2022.
The Irish have not known a defeat since February 12, 2022, conceded at the Stade de France against the Blues in the Six Nations Tournament. They chained 11 rank victories, pocketing a Grand Slam in the 2023 edition of the Tournament. And they notably took their revenge on the French, number 2 in the world rankings, whom they beat in Dublin on February 11 (32-19).
For Sir Clive Woodward, winner of the World Cup with England in 2003, this Irish selection in great shape, which notably beat New Zealand twice at home in July 2022, is logically one of the big favorites. “Ireland have a world-class manager and players, from number 1 to number 15. This team has proven they can beat anyone anywhere.” writes the former England XV coach in the Daily Mail.
An Ireland stronger than ever
Matt Williams shares the same opinion. This Australian arrived in 1999 in the Irish province of Leinster to take charge of the back lines. “I have worked for 24 years in Ireland and it is the strongest team I have ever seen”, explains this coach and consultant for various media. “There have always been incredible individuals in the Irish team. But I had never seen such a united and competitive selection,” he explains.
One of the strengths of the XV of Clover is the organization of rugby in Ireland. The national team relies on four professional provinces (Munster, Leinster, Connacht and Ulster) which bring together international players. “The organization of rugby is a huge advantage for the national team”, judge Matt Williams. “The whole system is built for her. The Federation works with the provinces and manages the players throughout the season,” he adds.
For him, Ireland has been able to set up an effective training system from youth teams to adults which promotes cohesion on the pitch. The technical and physical instructions are the same in the different teams and the selected players thus easily manage to find their bearings when they find themselves in the Irish jersey.
This scheme also allows better management of playing time for players who are not torn between the needs of their clubs and those of their national team. Irish internationals thus play less than their French counterparts who have to string together more matches during the same season. During the last Ireland-France, the Rugbyrama site had thus calculated the playing time of the 30 players lined up at kick-off since the start of the 2022/2023 season : it reached 1 006 minutes of play on average for a Blue, against 820 minutes for an Irishman. The difference was particularly stark for French captain Antoine Dupont with 1 181 minutes against only 440 for his vis-à-vis Connor Murray.
The Sexton Doubt
The nice victory won by the Irish against the Blues this year in Dublin is of particular importance since these two teams could well meet in the 2023 edition. Ireland find themselves in Pool B, notably alongside South Africa and Scotland, respectively 4e et 5e of the world ranking. And if it manages to finish among the top two in this group, it should then cross paths with France or New Zealand in the quarter-finals, the two major teams in Pool A. Pools C and D seem more accessible with nations like England, Australia or Argentina, currently ranked beyond the 5e global place.
If the XV of Clover was not very lucky during the draw for this competition, he hopes that the lucky star will watch over his emblematic opener Johnny Sexton. The playmaker of the Greens, who turns 38 in July, has suffered many injuries over the course of his long and rich career. But his state of form raises many concerns. However, according to Matt Williams, “Sexton must be on the ground for Ireland to win the World Cup”.
His precision against the poles and his experience of major events are major assets for this Irish team, which also has in its ranks the third line Josh van der Flier, voted best player in the world in 2022. With a package of formidable front and inspired rear lines, the “green machine” has something to shake the oval planet.
However, she is careful not to be overconfident. She knows that a grain of sand can seize up her operation, as was the case for the formidable province of Leinster who recently lost the Champions Cup final in Dublin against the French club La Rochelle. Deprived of her Sexton metronome, forfeited through injury, she was beaten by a small point (26-27). And if the opener seems to have time to regain his physical means by the World Cup, his preparation with Ireland is threatened due to a sanction that the European rugby authorities are soon to announce. Accused of having insulted the refereeing body during the lost final against La Rochelle, Sexton risks a heavy suspension which could even, in the worst case, deprive him of world competition.
20 teams for a title
The 2023 World Cup, which will take place from September 8 to October 28 in ten French cities, will see 20 selections divided into four groups competing for the world title. France 24 offers you, between now and the kick-off of this major sporting event, a series of articles on the teams in the running. With a publication the “XV” of each month.
The Blues focused on their quest for a first coronation
‘The Springboks are a way to bring hope’ to South Africa
The warriors of the Pacific fight an unbalanced fight
Patrice Lagisquet knew how to round up the Portuguese Wolves
The 2023 World Cup will have a South American accent with Argentina, Chile and Uruguay
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