The Rugby World Cup kicks off Friday when France play New Zealand. It will end with the final on October 28th. Here our writers predict who will lift the trophy, who will be the standout player and who will be the top scorer.
Who will win?
Gavin Mayrs: France. The hosts look best equipped to face any opponent: intimidating power up front, a back line riddled with confusion and matched with self-confidence to express their attacking ambitions, and a team fully in sync with an increasingly engaged French public. Only South Africa has the firepower to derail them.
Daniel Schofield:France. Very little separates the top four teams, but home advantage tips the scales in favor of France. Romain Ntamak's loss is a blow and Cyril Bayle's injury is a cause for concern, but they remain the most versatile team and the best equipped to take out the Springboks bomb squad.
Maggie Alfonsi:
Maggie Alfonsi:A difficult challenge, but I choose France as the host country. Before the Twickenham game between New Zealand and South Africa, I would say that it will be the France-New Zealand final. Just like the Springboks beat the All Blacks, now I see them making it to the Finals and the Les Bleus just ahead of it. The depth and richness of the French team's talent is incredible.
Charlie Morgan:South Africa. The defending champions showed off their intimidating muscles during the New Zealand rout and will enjoy the heavy side of the draw. Small question marks remain on the flank and outside the center, but Khandre Pollard and Lucagno Am are ready to be called out in case of injury.
Charles Richardson:France. The scene is ready; the stars should now align. Given the development and achievements of this French team over the past four years, there is a good chance that this will be the case. Among their weapons are the best player in the world, as well as players playing in the best league in the world. The best French team of all time? Only glory at the World Championship puts it beyond doubt.
Fiona Thomas:Ireland. It's probably the most open World Cup ever, but it's hard not to notice the number one team in the world. Ireland have never gone beyond the quarter-finals, but their time has come. The loss of Romain Ntamak will overtake France, who will also have to defy the pressure of the big games as hosts.
Ben Coles:The prognosis is increasingly focused on the heart rather than the head, given the setbacks due to injuries faced by Fabien Galti's team during preparation. France is supposed to be like the France of the past and crumble when the heat comes on. This side looks different. The talent is too strong and the structure is there. They have a terrible road to the final, but there is a maestro in Antoine Dupont. Looks like their time has come.
Who will be the player of the tournament?
Gavin Mayrs:Antoine Dupont may be the best player in the world, but Damian Penot has the ability and panache to grab headlines with his brilliant scoring. The 26-year-old is already a world-class talent, but he could finish the tournament as a household name.
Daniel Schofield:Antoine Dupont. Since France is the champion, Dupont is the natural choice. Already designated as the face of the tournament, he feels like this is his tournament, just like the last World Cup belonged to Lionel Messi. Such expectations can overwhelm other players, but so far DuPont has seemed as immune to pressure as he is to harassing flankers. >Antoine Dupont has been named the face of the World Cup. Photo: Getty Images/Frank Fife
Maggie Alfonsi:Jonathan Dante from France. This guy is a ball tackling and ball stealing machine. His partnership with Gael Ficu at the center is solid. He plays tough, bringing in multiple players to make room for his three defenders. Defensively, few are able to bypass it or even break through it, and it is also deadly when out of action.
Charlie Morgan:Willie Le Roux. South African heavyweights like Frans Malherbe, Eben Etzebeth and Sia Kolisi need to shoot if the Springboks want to retain their title and become the first nation to win four World Cups. However, Le Roux is integral to their attack phase and whether they can capitalize on the striker's inevitable dominance.
Charles Richardson:French Julien Marchand. We live in the era of prostitutes. Shares in this position around the world are as plentiful and of high quality as ever, and Marchand is one of the leading specialists. Expect his Malcolm Marx-style breakout experience and free-play dynamism to brighten up the tournament.
Fiona Thomas:Josh van der Flier. Flanker from Leinster has already won numerous individual awards and has been Ireland's most consistent player over the past year. He will be a vital cog in Ireland's quest for World Cup glory.
Ben Coles: Antoine Dupont is the obvious choice and you can choose from a collection of great Frenchies. Forwards too, but Peno has become the best striker in the world over the past two years. It's hard to imagine how his performance wouldn't decide at least one of France's big games, perhaps in the playoffs.
Who will be the breakout star?
Gavin Mayrs:< /strong>Mani Libbock. Stormer has a great opportunity to step out of Mohandre Pollard's shadow as a South African midfielder. A sensational talent as a schoolboy and age-level player, he appears to have patched up his shooting technique that previously hampered his international career, and his distribution skills could give a new edge to the Springbok's offense.
Daniel Schofield: Kanan Moody. The secret was really out when Moody tore New Zealand apart at Twickenham. The Springboks used to use him as an outer flank, but the Springboks used him in the center against the All Blacks, and his pace and ability to get off on either foot provided the perfect counter to the overwhelming power of their pack.
Kanan Moody's versatility has been cited as a key factor for South Africa. Photo: Getty Images/Steve Haag
Maggie Alfonsi:< /strong>Two names that impressed me are Kanan Moody from South Africa (an outstanding athlete full of potential and the world at his feet) and Sekou Makalu from France. He doesn't usually start, but over time it looks like he'll make a name for himself at this World Cup.
Charlie Morgan:David Niniashvili. Although Niniashvili is only 21 years old, he is already familiar to many. The wiry, skillful Georgia guard will reach a wider audience in the next few months, especially with some disappointments in Group C. Kanan Moody, Theo McFarland and Angus Bell are three other talented people to look out for.
Charles Richardson:Paul Alo-Emil. It may seem wrong to classify the 31-year-old in this category, but Alo-Emil is hardly a household name, and the Samoan is his way of life. One of the world's greatest grapplers — ask Ireland.
Fiona Thomas:Celestino Ravutaumada was an underdog against England at Twickenham, and the 23-year-old winger embodies everything that's great about a much-improved Fiji team with more than just firepower and flair.
Ben Coles:Given the (deservedly) big attention from Fiji after their victory over England, we don't talk much about Georgia. And we should be like that. Known for his team, Lyon defender David Niniashvili provides Lelos with the long-awaited X-factor, having already shown in the top 14 and for his country that he is a deadly striker. I feel ready for the big moment against Australia or Wales.
Who will be the top scorer?
Gavin Mayrs:Peno should be a contender, but it's more likely South Africa's Cheslin Kolbe to get more individual opportunity playing behind a giant Springbok pack, and has the dancing feet, strength, courage, and football skills to mesmerize an opponent's defense. In the land of the giants, Kolbe proves that the little man can still be king.
Daniel Schofield:Mark Telea. This will largely depend on who France and New Zealand put on the flanks against Uruguay and Namibia when someone is about to take their place. I will choose the Telea, which is the latest in an endless line of All Black scoring machines. He finished the Super Rugby season with the best performance in almost every offensive stat.
Maggie Alfonsi:They will come from France, but I share the experience of Damian Penot, an exciting newcomer to the Louis Biel-Biare quarter, and Gabin Villiers. Everyone lights up the stage when there's room to run. If I was going to pick one, it would be Peno.
Charlie Morgan:Will Jordan from New Zealand. This is not only based on Jordan's impressive ability to foresee and accelerate it. There are a few more intuitive finishers on the planet. New Zealand also tend to score big against smaller opponents. Even if Jordan rests before the Namibia and Uruguay games, I don't expect the All Blacks to go home early.
Charles Richardson:Damian Peno. The best striker in the world, scoring goals, playing for the favorites and hosts of the World Cup. It is impossible to ignore Penot's instinct for a trial line, and given France's encounters with Namibia and Uruguay, he could clean up the mess.
Fiona Thomas: Damian Penot. Everything Peno touches turns to gold. France's flying wing, which has made 21 attempts in the last 20 tests, is expected to shine in the biggest arena.
Ben Coles: Peno also makes sense to claim this award given his connections with Dupont, plus his ability to execute attempts from long range, in the air while kicking across the field, or using his 6'4″ frame to win tight one-on-one fights. He is truly a complete winger. You can see a hat-trick against Uruguay or Namibia or both.
Rugby World Cup Predictions Advance. What are your predictions for the Rugby World Cup? Let us know in the comments below
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