Ireland comes into this World Cup ranked as the number one side and it's best chance at not only getting past the quarterfinals for the first time ever, but to win the whole tournament. That being said, this is also the most wide open tournament ever as that makes the path for the Irish even more difficult. Ireland, under the guidance of head coach Andy Farrell, are prepared for this challenge and will look to finally bring home the coveted Webb Ellis Cup.
Ireland will be led by captain Jonathan Sexton who is making a last hurrah and is still a very capable and world class fly half. Sexton can't do it alone, but Ireland boasts an incredibly talented and deep squad, probably the deepest in the entire tournament. Players such as prop Tadhg Furlong, versatile lock James Ryan, back rowers Josh van der Flier and Caelan Doris, scrumhalves Jamison Gibson-Park and Conor Murray, center Garry Ringrose, and wingers Mack Hansen, James Lowe, and Hugo Keenan will help Sexton in his quest for winning it all. Other standouts such as hooker Dan Sheehan, lock Ryan Baird, back rower Peter O'Mahony, centers Bundee Aki and Robbie Henshaw, and talented young fullback Jimmy O'Brien lead the way as well. It hurt that prop Cian Healy could not be fully fit for this tournament, but he could make a way back on the squad when it's the knockout stage. Either way, this is the best side Ireland has ever sent to the World Cup.
To preview Ireland, there's a few things to look at:
Scrumhalf
Ireland should be considered blessed to have two of the best at the position in the world at their disposal. While Murray isn't quite the same player like he was, he still is incredibly valuable especially with the pace of play he brings, experience, and intelligence, and tactical with his box kicking. Gibson-Park is calculative, aggressive in the attack, and fast paced. Gibson-Park will be the starter and for good reasons, but Murray to close out matches will be key.
The Pack
Ireland don't have the most physical pack or the best scrum in the world, but they are versatile, dynamic, and deepest forward group in the entire tournament. When you boast a World Player of the Year in Josh van der Flier on your squad, then you know how good it is. Most rugby games are determined by how the forwards play and Ireland should have no problem competing as the depth should help them win. The props also have players such as Findlay Bealham, David Kilcoyne, Tom O'Toole, and Andrew Porter who can fill in and especially Porter who can play at either tighthead or loosehead. As for the second row, Iain Henderson, Joe McCarthy, and Tadhg Beirne are all capable of starting too and should help lighten the load, plus Baird can play in the back row. As for the back row though, should injuries happen, they will be ok plus Jack Conan, who can move all over the pitch, is an underrated player as that should help Farrell set up his team on matchdays.
The Attack
The most fun thing that Ireland does is the element of surprise. Nations can gameplan as much as they like against them, but then suddenly Ireland pulls off multiple trick plays that makes it hard for other teams to defend or anticipate The other thing about the Irish attack is the power and speed from their wings in Lowe and Hansen who makes them lethal when playing out wide or when opening the field. When Lowe, Hansen, and Keenan are on their horses, virtually impossible to stop. However, one thing the Irish do best is carrying the ball as they can beat anyone either grinding it out or using their pace.
Jonathan Sexton
Sexton is making his fourth World Cup and has been masterful for Ireland during his time as the flyhalf to replace Ronan O’Gara. That being said, Sexton is 38 and is coming off an injury and that is a lot to ask of him to perform at his best. Sexton is Ireland’s best option at the 10 jersey which unfortunately does not bode well for the Irish once he retires. Sexton still provides good defensive cover, but can he be relied upon at the age he is at. Possibly with who the forwards are playing in front of him and the backs who play behind him, he won’t have to shoulder the load too much. It should help him organize the attack and strike at a perfect moment. In his swan song, can he finally achieve World Cup glory? We shall see.
Ireland’s Group And Fixtures In Group B
Match One: Romania
Match Two: Tonga
Match Three: South Africa
Match Four: Scotland
Ireland have to go up against a very difficult group in order to advance to the knockout stages. South Africa is the defending champion, but also a very talented and deep side despite some of their key players injured such as Handre Pollard, Lukhanyo Am, and Lood de Jager. South Africa is incredibly physical, but also have speed in their backs which makes the match up for the Irish a very difficult one. Scotland is playing with their best ever side sent to the World Cup, however, Ireland has their number. Even though there are questions about their forward pack, there isn’t any about the backs as they are dynamic and lethal. With players such as Finn Russell, Blair Kinghorn, and Duhan van der Merwe there, expect the Irish defense to be on their toes. This match could be the do or die match to move on to the next round and Scotland could pull off an upset. Tonga has improved massively and have brought in a lot of talent that could make some noise like Malakai Fekitoa, Lima Sopaga, and Charles Piuta as Tonga could actually cause an upset here. No one is counting on Romania to do much in this group, but their scrummaging is excellent and could make things difficult for Ireland.
Prediction: First in Group B and World Cup winner
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