When it comes to this year's Rugby World Cup, there is a fair sense of optimism can overcome the weight of history and make a deep run in the tournament.
The team have come on in leaps and bounds over the last couple of years, winning a Grand Slam, reaching no. 1 in the world rankings, and beating all of the best teams in the world over the last 18 months or so. In short, an Irish side has never been in as strong of a position going into the sport's flagship event.
In saying that, their task has been made all the more difficult by the draw they have been handed at the tournament.
Ireland's pool contains three of the world's top five ranked sides, with Andy Farrell's men set to face both South Africa and Scotland before the knockout rounds. What's more, either New Zealand or France will likely be awaiting them should they reach the quarter-finals.
The result of this means that at least three of the world's five teams will be eliminated before we reach the semi-finals.
Brian O'Driscoll relieved that Rugby World Cup issue won't be repeated
This nightmare draw for the teams mentioned above came about as a result of the timing of the 2023 Rugby World Cup draw. The pools were decided in December of 2020, a full 33 months before the tournament was due to get underway.
Both England and Wales were top seeds during this period, with those sides now sitting in eighth and tenth in the world rankings respectively as the event kicks off.
It has already been decided that the 2027 Rugby World Cup pools will be decided closer to the tournament in an attempt to avoid a repeat of this year's uneven draw.
As a part of the Rugby World Cup board, Brian O'Driscoll is very familiar with the workings of the draw.
Speaking to Balls at the launch of Guinness' new rugby campaign ‘Don’t Jinx It’, he explained the thinking behind having the draw so far out from the tournament. However, he also admitted that he is relieved that we will not see a repeat of this issue moving forward as draws will now be held much closer to tournaments.
I know why it was done, because I'm on the Rugby World Cup board. It's extra unique this time around because the Paris Olympics is next year, so they're having a Rugby World Cup and then an Olympics a year after.
I guess the sport we are playing and enjoying is a lesser product on the global stage than the Olympics. There was a nervousness and uncertainty around ticket sales, if Paris 2024 got out ahead of the Rugby World Cup would it impact the overall incomings of the Rugby World Cup, which we know is all important to the growth of the game over a four year period.
That's ultimately why the decision was had. That said, it's going to change for next time out.
It's a great shame, because having the top five teams on one side of the draw doesn't make sense. You don't want the best teams to be going out too early. The reality is that two of the top four teams in the world are going out at quarter-final level. Like it or lump it, it's happening.
I suppose those on the other side of the draw, Australia, Argentina, England, Fiji, Wales, it is a nicer route to a semi-final. Then again you could always argue that you might not be quite battle hardened like the teams in 'A' and 'B' will be by the time they get to semi-finals and finals. You've got to spin the narrative positively whatever way your cards fall.
Thankfully this circumstance won't happen again, it will be much closer so it'll be a more even keel when it comes to the distribution of the best teams across all four pools.
September 6th, 2023: Pictured at Aviva Stadium is Guinness Ambassador, Brian O’Driscoll who has teamed up with Guinness to help launch their new rugby campaign ‘Don’t Jinx It’. This Autumn, Guinness is asking fans to resist the urge to tempt fate. Remember – Think It, Don’t Jinx It.
Ireland will certainly have a difficult task on their hands navigating that pool, with South Africa and Scotland both in excellent form heading into the tournament.
The South Africans are arguably the favourites to retain the Webb Ellis Cup, with their huge pack mixed with some exciting backs making for a potent mix. In contrast, France could find themselves under further pressure as hosts due to some injuries in the squad.
O'Driscoll is excited to see who among the world's most talented players excels on the sport's biggest stage.
You look at the size of the pack and the outside backs with South Africa, you think Cheslin Kolbe and [Kurt-Lee] Arendse, [Makazole] Mapimpni. They have good centres, obviously we know Damian de Allende, and they've got a huge pack. It feels like a quite complete team in that South African setup.
France have got some injuries. Jonathan Donty, if he is injured for a number of games, I think it's a huge loss to France. He brings a completely different dimension to their go forward. We saw in La Rochelle vs Leinster the try he scored in the final, we know how disruptive of a ball carrier he is, he scored a cracking try against Australia a couple of weeks ago.
With him gone, that definitely takes a bit of their edge off with their go forward. They've had a couple of other injuries with [Romain] Ntamack and [Paul] Willemse, so there's big pressure on the likes of [Antoine] Dupont, Damian Pennaud, and Gael Fickou to deliver, and the platform up front and the French front row to create the fast ball for their x-factor.
I could do that with lots of different teams, the All Blacks amongst others. There is going to be a lot of exciting players to watch, there's no better time to deliver your best than at a Rugby World Cup. It's very, very exciting about what is coming over the next couple of months.
Here's hoping we can add a few Irish stars into that mix.
It should make for a massively exciting Rugby World Cup.
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Guinness Ambassador, Brian O’Driscoll has teamed up with Guinness to help launch their new rugby campaign ‘Don’t Jinx It’. This Autumn, Guinness is asking fans to resist the urge to tempt fate. Remember – Think It, Don’t Jinx It.
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