Grand Slam winners France have been shortened into a best price 2/1 for the Rugby World Cup 2023 but a familiar favourite remains.
France captured their first Six Nations Championship and a first Grand Slam for 12 years, which saw their Rugby World Cup 2023 odds shorten into 2/1. It’s no surprise that they are the most favoured Northern hemisphere side in the market.
The World Cup is around 18 months away and we all know a lot can happen in this time. There are still many questions to be answered. Have France peaked too soon? Can they finally get their hands on the Webb Ellis Cup? Will the pressure of a home World Cup prove too much to handle?
France odds shorten after Grand Slam success
The French are current second favourites in the market behind New Zealand despite their Grand Slam success. The last time they were beaten was way back in the summer of 2021 in their final game of a three-game series against the Wallabies.
Since then, they have won eight games on the bounce. Most notably two excellent victories against two of the top sides in the world currently (New Zealand and Ireland).
They are marshalled excellently by the electric Antoine Dupont; the little man is everywhere, and he is almost out on his own in the world’s best scrum-half debate at present.
His support play is everything you would want from a modern scrum half. Always in the right place at the right time to get round the edge of the breakdown and cause overlaps.
It remains to be seen whether France have peaked too early, but - even then - they will have to somehow get over their World Cup hoodoo if they are to lift the trophy.
They have come close on numerous occasions but have always fallen short. Having lost in the final a record three times, they will be vying to change that this time around.
After France's #SixNationsRugby Grand Slam win, they have shortened as favourites to win next year's Rugby World Cup.
— oddschecker (@oddschecker) March 20, 2022
They were 7/2 pre-tournament and they are now as short as 2/1.
Will Les Bleus finally capture World Rugby's most coveted prize? #RWC2023
Is New Zealand’s impregnable aura gone?
The All Blacks are arguably still the most feared team in world rugby; however, they suffered two defeats on the bounce in their Autumn series games against France and Ireland.
Although both sides have shown improvement in recent years these are games that New Zealand usually take by the scruff of the neck. This wasn’t the case this year, they suffered a bruising defeat to France and got pummeled physically in close defeat to the Irish.
In years gone by most rugby fans would admit that there was somewhat of an aura surrounding the All Blacks, but this appears to have diminished somewhat.
They can never be counted out but if there is ever hope of another Northern hemisphere World Cup victory (the first since 2003), then this time around could be a great chance.
They are current favourites in the market at odds of 11/4 best price and worst odds 15/8. They face off against Ireland in the summer series and will be looking to prove that they are still one of the most feared and powerful sides in world rugby.
Can Ireland finally get past the quarters?
Ireland had a strong Six Nations campaign but, ultimately, they couldn’t tame the French beast in Paris. This defeat proved costly and essentially gave France the chance to chase the Grand Slam which they did so with relative ease. For Andy Farrell’s men a triple crown will have to do for now, but they will be hoping that they can bring this good form to the World Cup.
They have looked strong defensively and fluid in attack, while Ireland can finally call upon strong replacements that can slot right in without affecting the quality of their play.
However, the Irish will be quick to tell you that a large question mark lingers. Can they make it past the quarters? They have never reached a World Cup semi; in the last two tournaments they failed to live up to the hype in falling to heavy defeats against Argentina and New Zealand.
They’re currently 14/1 (best odds) to win the tournament next year and could be a solid long shot if you think Sexton and co. can break their duck this time around.
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England’s disappointing Six Nations
England capped a disappointing Six Nations campaign with a defeat to France. In years gone this Eddie Jones team could have rolled into Paris and potentially spoiled the party. I think this is just as honest assessment of where England are at.
Talent capable of going up against anyone in world rugby but not enough solid rugby to get them over the line. The silver lining in all of this has been the emergence of young Marcus Smith who can certainly still improve by next year.
England would be my dark horses for the tournament and at 34/5 you could do worse than take a punt on them. They have had a couple of injuries for this tournament and certainly are not in good form. They have a couple of emerging talents coming through and I fancy them to peak at the right time like they normally do.
They will take on Australia for a three-game series in the summer and Eddie Jones will be desperate to prove this England team are not to be taken lightly after a blip in the Six Nations.
Rugby World Cup Odds:
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| New Zealand | 11/4 |
| France | 2/1 |
| England | 34/5 |
| South Africa | 39/5 |
| Ireland | 14/1 |
| Australia | 16/1 |
