Rugby World Cup 2023 Odds: Assessing the main contenders

With the Rugby Union World Cup 2023 exploding into action this week, now is the perfect time to take a deep dive into the main contenders to win the most prestigious tournament in World Rugby.

Here at BettingOdds, we have tasked Billy Grimshaw with the job of reviewing the four betting favourites at this stage and giving us the lowdown on their form and chance of glory…

New Zealand - Co-Favourites and Joint-Record Three-Time Champions

The most recognisable brand in World Rugby and arguably the most iconic national team in world sport (maybe outside of Brazil in football), the All Blacks are never far away from the top of the market when the RWC rolls around.

In 2023 they have had to settle for second favouritism for much of the year, with the tournament taking place in the Northern Hemisphere and thus teams from that part of the world more favoured by odds compilers.

Well, after the All Blacks dismantled both South Africa and Australia recently - although it's worth noting that they also lost heavily to the former in late August - they now feature alongside France at the top of the betting at 3/1.

The defending champions may not be ranked number one in the world (more on who is later) but they are still the most feared team around and the ability in the squad well and truly matches the aura. 

As is customary in World Cups in all sports, the permutations look to mean New Zealand’s toughest game may in fact come in a game before the final. Not only do they face hosts France in their opening match but they could then potentially go on to tackle South Africa or Ireland in the quarter-finals. However, the All Blacks will fancy their chances against anyone to give departing head coach Ian Foster the perfect send off with a record fourth world Cup triumph for the nation.

One thing that is for sure is RWC fanatics don’t have to wait long for a blockbuster tie, as the All Blacks will take on the host nation on Friday. The result here will be crucial for those aforementioned permutations and we cannot wait to see it!

France - Co-Favourites and Host Nation

The host nation and possessing one of the finest squads in the Rugby Union world, France’s head coach Fabien Galthie had quite the job cutting his 42 man squad down to 33.

With a star-studded set of players at his disposal, there was no room for the likes of Emilien Gailleton, Demba Bamba or Brice Dulin, but some of the first names on the sheet include Antoine Dupont (the best scrum half in world rugby), Gregory Alldritt who is a mainstay at number 8, and one of the favourites in the top tryscorer betting Damian Penaud.

As is always the case when hosting a tournament, the expectation is huge from the French rugby fans and anything less than victory will be treated as a failure in RWC 2023. With Shaun Edwards in their ranks as defence coach Les Bleus will be a force to be reckoned with for teams attempting to break their line, while their guile with ball in hand is also without question.

As mentioned in the paragraph above about New Zealand, France will have to kick off their home tournament with the toughest tie possible. Win that and they will be clear outright favourites and with the passionate supporters roaring their heroes on, this promises to be a game for the ages.

Whichever side comes out on top in that opening game will fancy themselves as the most likely RWC winners, but there are plenty of other teams who will have plenty to say about that.

France are undoubtedly the team to beat on home turf with their fans, but they are by no means unstoppable.

South Africa - Reigning Winners and Joint-Record Three-Time Champions

South Africa have jumped above Ireland into third spot in the betting at 7/2 following a stunning record defeat of the All Blacks in late August. South Africa conjured up a superb 35-7 win which was the heaviest defeat in New Zealand's history.

The Springboks are of course steeped in rugby history and as three-time world champions, they know how to get things done when it comes to a World Cup. A host of the 2023 squad were of course in the squad back in 2019 when the Springboks defeated England in the final 32-12.

The current generation of Springboks have a wonderfully well balanced squad, with their iconic captain Siya Kolisi leading his troops with both his words and his actions. Eben Etzebeth is another veteran of the 2019 triumph and he is ageing like a fine wine as arguably the best lock in world rugby right now.

South Africa can cause problems for any side in world rugby, especially at the breakdown. It is a big if, but if the pools go to world ranking the Springboks would be tasked with taking out the host nation in the quarter final.

If choosing a team not to face in a game like this, South Africa would be high up the list as they really have seen it all on the international stage. One thing that is for certain as I write this preview piece, whichever way the permutations fall we are in for some belting match-ups!

Ireland - World Number 1 Ranked Nation

What Andrew Farrell has done since taking the reins as Ireland head coach really can not be described as anything less than phenomenal.

The ex-Wigan rugby league legend has taken to coaching in the 15 man code like a duck to water and with the help of his brilliant coaching team he has moulded Ireland into his image.

Tough, uncompromising and above all full of heart the Irish team won the Grand Slam in the Six Nations this year following on from a historic series win in New Zealand. That is a feat only achieved by the very best sides in rugby history, and this Ireland team are one of those make no mistake.

The players that make up the core of this Irish team are at the end of their cycle but they are still a golden generation and with the world’s best player of 2022 Josh van der Fliers in their ranks causing havoc Ireland will frighten any opponent.

If Ireland beat South Africa and Scotland to top spot in Pool B, this is likely to lead to a fascinating quarter-final with New Zealand or France. Obviously, this would be a game for the ages, but if 9/2 priced Ireland continue their form from the Six Nations and that famous series win over the All Blacks, they can go all the way and claim a first World Cup.

Best Of The Rest - Including England

It would be a fairly big shock if it were not one of the big four that is holding the RWC aloft come October 28th in Paris, but there are a handful of nations who will fancy their chances of upsetting the apple cart.

Firstly; England (16/1). The Red Rose have arguably been unfortunate with timings of World Cups, with the Eddie Jones era petering out at the worst possible time prior to this season’s Six Nations.

The RFU felt they had to act so Jones was dismissed and in came Steve Borthwick, with a whole new backroom team and rugby philosophy. They looked a way behind France and Ireland in the Six Nations, then lost to Fiji for the first time, and it’ll take a few big steps forward for England to go all the way, despite the potentially favourable quarter final draw.

Jones has moved on from England to the old enemy, Australia (14/1). This has the potential for a story that can only be told in sport if the two collide in a knock-out game, but for that to happen both teams will need to improve, particularly the Wallabies.

They have been thoroughly outclassed in the rugby championship against New Zealand and South Africa, before suffering an embarrassing loss to Argentina. 

Argentina (25/1), Wales (40/1), and Scotland (40/1) are the only other sides involved that are not three-figure pokes for glory, and although they will all fancy their chances of causing an upset at one stage of the World Cup, it is surely fanciful to imagine any making the final let alone lifting the trophy.