A look ahead to the 2023 Rugby World Cup The 2023 Rugby World Cup. It’s been four long years but it’s nearly – finally – upon us… It’s the greatest and grandest stage in Rugby and come September, the eyes of the world will turn sharply to France for two whole months of action, passion and pure, unfiltered drama. Anticipation is running high in the world of rugby with the competition drawing ever closer, so we’ve decided to delve deeper into the 2023 Rugby World Cup with this comprehensive preview. So, less mucking about, let’s take a closer look at what we can expect from the event, how our home nations may fare, the dark horses, the host cities in question, the history and where you can book your tickets for a trip to France. 2023 Rugby World Cup Contenders Heading into the 10th Rugby World Cup in history, it really is anybody’s game… The last four tournaments have been won by either New Zealand (2007 and 2019) or South Africa (2011 and 2015), with the All Blacks aiming to defend the title they won in Japan and the Springboks targeting a third win in four tournaments. Ranked first in the World Rankings, Ireland will fancy their chances for a first ever World Cup title and hosts France will be hoping to achieve a similar feat on home soil. Here’s our picks for teams to watch this Autumn… The Lions’ tours provide a unique opportunity to see some of the world’s best rugby talent play together, creating an exhilarating blend of rivalry and camaraderie among the nations of the British Isles. This tradition has not only shaped rugby’s history but also contributed to the sport’s cultural heritage, with every tour adding to the legacy of epic contests, unforgettable moments and a fierce pride in wearing the iconic red jersey. France After three World Cup final defeats, can France finally lift the Webb Ellis Cup on home soil? The host nation has been victorious in three of the nine tournaments to date, so will Les Bleus follow in the footsteps of New Zealand (1987 & 2011) and South Africa (1995)? The answer is yes, quite possibly! Fabien Galthié’s will fancy their chances. Ranked second in the world rankings, with arguably the best player in the world in Antoine Dupont at their disposal and a home crowd to spur them on, the odds are stacked in their favour! Ireland Andy Farrell’s side head into the tournament on the back of winning the Grand Slam in March and – as the highest ranked nation – are understandably the early favourites. Ireland have won 11 fixtures in a row and last faced defeat in February 2022 (versus France). And, accompanied by a strong recent record against the big Southern Hemisphere teams (NZ, AUS, SA), they’ll be fancying their chances. With it being legend Jonny Sexton’s last ever World Cup, can he inspire Ireland to their first ever RWC victory and draw an end to an illustrious career with the greatest accolade of all? Wales It’s a turbulent time for Wales with a poor Six Nations showing, star players Alun Wyn Jones and Justin Tupiric making a surprise retirement and off-field controversies all threatening to derail their World Cup before it even starts. However, sport often has the habit of providing the biggest surprises and a low expectation could give Warren Gatland’s side the chance to sneak under the radar. England England had a poor Six Nations by their high standards and trying to fit Owen Farrell and Marcus Smith into the same team is proving to be a headache for Steve Borthwick and whether they can find a solution remains to be seen. But the history books are kind for England, who are the only Northern Hemisphere team to win the World Cup and have featured in four finals. Can they make it five finals and a first RWC victory since 2003? Scotland It’s been a productive few years for Scotland, whose impressive form has been rewarded with a third-place finish in this year’s Six Nations and a rise to fifth in the World Rugby Rankings. Stuart Hogg’s surprise retirement is a big blow and they’ve been handed a tough pool with tests against Ireland and South Africa early in the competition, but if they can prevail, then they’ll have a great chance to go far. Southern Hemisphere sides You can’t count out any of the big three – New Zealand, South Africa and Australia. Between them, they’ve won 8 of the 9 World Cups so far. New Zealand are finding form just at the right time in the Rugby Championship. Australia have a star-studded squad, capable of winning on the biggest stage. And South Africa are the defending champions, so they’ll be in contention again. Our 2023 Rugby World Cup Host Nation All eyes are on France this autumn, with fixtures taking place in nine host cities throughout the country. Known for their passion and flair on the field, the French team will no doubt feel the weight of a home crowd as they aim to become the third nation to win on their own soil. Here’s a few host cities that may catch your eye… Lille, the tournament’s most northern host city, has a vibrant atmosphere, cultural vivacity and a perfect blend of historic Flanders architecture and urban development. It’s a proper French hidden gem and the Stade Pierre-Mauroy – with its 50,000 capacity and retractable roof – is a stadium fitting for a city crowned the ‘World Design Capital’ in 2020. Located on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, Marseille is France’s second-largest city and is an ideal location to explore a range of cosmopolitan restaurants, bars and shops. On the French Riviera and at the foot of the Alps, Nice is a must-visit for any trip to France. With 300 days of sunshine per year, open-air markets, wine chateaus and authentic restaurants, it’s certainly one to add to your list. And who can forget Paris? As the host to the final and important fixtures throughout, the French capital will be bursting with life and Rugby fever. With some of Europe’s most notable tourist attractions, shopping districts and gastronomic delights, there’s plenty to do aside from the Rugby. How to get 2023 Rugby World Cup tickets For more information on official ticket and accommodation packages to the 2023 Rugby World Cup, please click here. SportsBreaks is proud to be an Official Travel Agent for Rugby World Cup 2023, placing you in the heart of the action in France. With the next two World Cups in Australia and the USA, this will be the last chance to catch Rugby’s biggest tournament in Europe until 2035 at the earliest, so don’t miss out.