2023-08-27 20:37:53
The ambition of the XV of Clover is clear: the title. After having beaten all the big nations in the world (France, England, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, etc.) over the last twelve months, the Irish team arrives in France as the favourites. Carried by the last best player in the world, the third line Josh van der Flier, and by its illustrious captain, Jonathan Sexton, Ireland has the means to afford its first world title.
The story
Curse, glass ceiling, call it what you want but Ireland can’t do it in the World Cup. In nine participations, the XV of Clover has been eliminated seven times in the quarter-finals and twice during the group stage. A history that will necessarily be on the minds and discussions when it comes time for the quarter-finals, against France or New Zealand.
Ireland team form
First nation in the world and undefeated for more than a year, Ireland is one of the big favorites of this World Cup. His last Six Nations Tournament, punctuated by a Grand Slam, confirmed this feeling. Impressive in attack, where James Lawe, Hugo Keenan and Josh van der Flier are formidable, the XV of Clover can also count on a solid defense and automatisms between the players with the backbone of the province of Leinster, finalist of the European Cup. Europe facing La Rochelle. The team coached by Englishman Andy Farrell is also full of experience since twelve players have more than 50 selections. This habit of big deadlines should help Jonathan Sexton and his partners, who will still have to get out of a pool in which Scotland and South Africa appear to reach the quarter-finals. A delicate draw but totally within their reach, as proven by their convincing victories in preparation against Italy and England.
Ireland match schedule
The list of 33
Pillars: Finlay Bealham, Tadhg Furlong, David Kilcoyne, Jeremy Loughman, Tom O’Toole, Andrew Porter.
Talonneurs : Rob Herring, Ronan Kelleher, Dan Sheehan.
Back rows: Tadhg Beirne, Iain Henderson, Joe McCarthy, James Ryan.
Third rows: Ryan Baird, Jack Conan, Caelan Doris, Peter O’Mahony, Josh van der Flier.
Scrum-half: Craig Casey, Jamison Gibson-Park, Conor Murray.
Demis d’ouverture : Ross Byrne, Jack Crowley, Jonathan Sexton.
Centres : Bundee Aki, Robbie Henshaw, Stuart McCloskey, Garry Ringrose.
Ailiers : Keith Earls, Mack Hansen, James Lowe.
Fullbacks: Hugo Keenan, Jimmy O’Brien.
Le XV type
Ireland is armed in all lines. Whether it’s from the front row, with the solid Tadhg Furlong and Andrew Porter, from the hinge, with the legend Jonathan Sexton, or from the wings, with the twirling Mack Hansen and James Lowe, danger can come from anywhere. The last minute withdrawal from Cian Healy, considered one of the best pillars in the world, is however a real blow.
Player to watch: Josh van der Flier
He is not the most famous player in the competition, not even in Ireland, and yet we are talking about the best player… in the world! Yes Yes ! Crowned by World Rugby in 2022 in front of Antoine Dupont, this grandson of Dutchmen who came to settle in the south of Dublin has become the symbol of the European domination of Ireland, which won the Grand Slam this year and which is approaching this World Cup. with the number one team status in the world rankings. Endowed with an extraordinary physical resistance, which allows him to multiply the tasks on the ground, he also has a great understanding of the game and an innate sense of placement.
“He’s the best player in the world, but we don’t know his brilliant actions, he’s not an X factor but he’s very consistent, he’s 9 out of 10 almost every game,” he said. former hooker of XV du Clover Bernard Jackman. And Ireland is counting on him to finally break the glass ceiling of the quarter-finals, which it has never exceeded in the World Cup.
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