Clive Woodward names his 2023 World Cup winner and explains why
Former England boss Clive Woodward has made his prediction for the 2023 World Cup, tipping France to ultimately lift the trophy on October 28 in Paris. Fabien Galthie’s side are currently rated second to Ireland in the World Rugby rankings, but the 2003 World Cup-winning coach believes home advantage will result in French glory in nine months’ time.
Writing in Sportmail during the recent holiday period, Woodward said: “I have to go with France, with the reason being that for me they are the No1 team in the world now even if the official rankings show Ireland to be in that position.
“Being at home is a massive advantage. If this World Cup was taking place in New Zealand or South Africa, I wouldn’t be tipping France. I work a lot in France these days and I know from being there that the French public loves this team. This is a glorious time for French rugby. I can see them going one better than their football team and winning the World Cup.
“Being at home is like having a 16th man. France will have incredible support. When you’re at home, 50/50 calls tend to go your way. If we had been playing at home as an England team in 2003 rather than in Australia, we would have won the final by 25 points. Home advantage is so important especially when you have a side with such quality.”
Referencing England, who now have Steve Borthwick in charge instead of Eddie Jones, Woodward is expecting the ex-Leicester boss to turn English rugby around from the low ebb it currently finds itself in following 2022 where only five of a dozen Test matches were won.
In a year of turbulence for England rugby, one thing has been a constant ? pic.twitter.com/ZRPAutLgaD
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) December 26, 2022
“We have got to move on from Jones now and quickly. He is gone. It’s like the old saying goes, the king is dead, long live the king. Jones’ staunchest allies in the RFU threw him under the bus to save their own necks. In the end, I just felt very sorry for Jones. He deserved better. He should have been removed with dignity three years ago rather than suffer a very public hanging.
“Looking at it through the eyes of England’s opposition, they would have been very happy if Jones had stayed in charge. A fresh start with the talent and experience England possess could and will be a frightening prospect.
“The more I think about Steve Borthwick, the more I think he can surprise people. He will put a strong team together. My advice to Borthwick is very simple – just go for it! Does he have the players? Absolutely. I really hope I don’t hear those dreadful words ‘starters’ and ‘finishers’ again!
“Select players in their right position. I want him to pick wings that run fast! I’m very excited for him to turn English rugby around both on and off the pitch from the low ebb we currently find ourselves in. He can absolutely do that.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Interesting comments about Touch. England’s hosting the Touch World Cup this year and the numbers have exploded since their last World Cup in 2019, something like 70% more teams and 40 nations taking part. And England Touch have made a big thing about how many universities are in their BUCS University Touch Championship as well as Sport England membership. Can only see this growing even more domestically as more people become aware of it
10 Go to comments“Cortez Ratima is light years ahead of anyone on current form, while TJ Perenara has also skyrocketed into contention following the unfortunate injury to the talented Cam Roigard.” At last some sanity. Hitherto so many pundits have been wittering on about Finlay Christie to the point one wondered if they were observing a FC in a parallel universe where the FC they saw wasnt just the mediocre Shayne Philpott project of Fosters hapless AB reign in the real world. Ratima, Perenara and Fakatava are the ONLY logical 9s for Razor now Roigard is crocked.
2 Go to commentsThis game was just as painful as the Hurricanes game. It was real fork-in-the-eye stuff.
2 Go to commentsNow if they could just fire the Crusaders ground PA guy who likes to play his dance music and just loves the sound of his own voice the entire game, even when play is going on. And I thought their brass band thing of a few years ago was bad.
5 Go to commentsUnfortunately when you lose by far the two form players this season in Roigard and Aumua, you're left replacing two game changing Tanks with a couple of pea-shooters. Which is also about the speed of TJs pass.
2 Go to commentsBit rich coming from the guy with zero loyalty to anyone or any team, including happily taking a players place in a league world cup squad because well, SBW wanted to play in it and thus an already named player got told he was no longer going. And airing stuff like this, which may or may not be true, doesn't exactly say you're a stand up guy either SBW. Just looking to keep his name in lights as usual.
38 Go to commentsTamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder. Ollie Sapsford, Hawkes Bay NPC midfielder…doing well
2 Go to commentsFiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
1 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
5 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
33 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to comments