Rugby World Cup Spotlight

Ahead of the start of this year’s Rugby World Cup, PA Media’s Rugby Union correspondent Andrew Baldock puts the spotlight on the tournament, sharing who he thinks will be the players to watch out for, the surprise package teams and more.

• What do you think will be the big stories that will dominate the Rugby World Cup?

We can only hope it is the rugby that we will be talking about, and not issues such as high tackles, red cards and disciplinary hearings, which have been common-place in recent times. It is widely perceived to be the most open World Cup in the competition’s 36-year history. The smart money is on one of France, New Zealand, Ireland or defending champions South Africa to lifting the trophy, but they are all in the top half of a lopsided draw. Ireland have never previously progressed beyond the quarter-final stage, while France have also never won it, losing finals in 1987, 1999 and 2011. France will stage the tournament brilliantly, so it should be a wonderful celebration of the sport.

• Who will be the key players to watch out for?

As you would expect, a World Cup will be crammed with the planet’s finest players, many of them household names like South Africa’s World Cup-winning captain Siya Kolisi, France skipper Antoine Dupont, New Zealand forward Ardie Savea and Ireland’s world player of the year Josh van der Flier. I am particularly looking forward to seeing box-office talent such as Wales’ Louis Rees-Zammit, New Zealand wing Will Jordan, England back Henry Arundell and Scotland try machine Duhan van der Merwe perform on the sport’s biggest stage.

• What has changed for the England team since they made the final back in 2019?

Quite a bit! After reaching the 2019 final under Australian head coach Eddie Jones, England were crowned Six Nations champions, but then things slowly started to unravel. They finished fifth and third in the next two tournaments, with Jones being sacked in late 2022. Steve Borthwick, who had led Leicester Tigers to the 2022 Premiership title, was appointed as Jones’ successor, but his first Six Nations proved underwhelming. Although it is early in Borthwick’s reign, England have struggled, being largely unable to impose themselves on opponents and showing a chronic lack of creativity. Expectations are low heading to the World Cup.

• Who could be the surprise package at the World Cup?

A tough one, this. Only four countries have ever won the World Cup – New Zealand, South Africa, Australia and England – so surprises have often proved to be thin on the ground. This time around, it is well worth looking at a dangerous Fiji side, who will fancy their chances of progressing from a group that also includes Wales and Australia. Scotland have it all to do alongside group rivals Ireland and South Africa, but they are capable of upsetting the apple-cart. There could also be some big moments for the likes of Italy and Georgia, but Fiji look the most likely.

• There’s always talk of a grassroots impact in the UK if a Home Nations team performs well in a World Cup – have you seen any evidence of that since 2019 and what do you think will be the legacy of this World Cup?

Not really since 2019, although that might well have been a lot different had England won the final against South Africa. Ireland winning the World Cup would be off the scale in terms of what it would do for the game throughout the Emerald Isle, and given current form and world rankings, that has to be considered a realistic possibility.

Explore PA Media’s coverage of the Rugby World Cup here.