HEADING INTO THE opening weekend of November Test games, Andy Farrell’s Ireland team are ranked third in the world.
A common saying in sport is that the table never lies, but in this instance, many would disagree. It is largely accepted, even by those within the Ireland camp, that Farrell’s squad have work to do if they are to be at the level of South Africa (first), New Zealand (second) and France (fourth) come next year’s World Cup.
In Ireland, there is a mix of opinions on whether this squad can indeed close that gap. But how is this Ireland team now perceived outside this island?
To get the view from the three other nations in World Rugby’s top four, The 42 spoke to Liam Napier of the New Zealand Herald, L’Equipe’s Adrien Corée and South African journalist Jon Cardinelli.
How much of a gap is there between Ireland and the big three of South Africa, France and New Zealand?
Liam Napier: We’ll know more after this month but evidence thus far this year suggests it’s significant. Form and perspective can rapidly change. Little separates the world’s top five teams on any given day. Ireland, though, have everything to prove after losing ground in recent years.
Adrien Corée: Currently, I believe South Africa stands clearly above the rest in its ability to prevail, even in difficult situations. They excel at managing periods where they are under pressure and wearing down their opponents. New Zealand and France are in pursuit; both are dangerous and formidable with the ball in hand, yet they can also prove vulnerable. I think Ireland is currently trailing this trio. They have lost the precision that made them the best team in the world in the early 2020s.
Ireland head coach Andy Farrell. Ben Brady / INPHO
Ben Brady / INPHO / INPHO
Jon Cardinelli: It’s substantial. Ireland have the players to boss the breakdowns and are revered for their attack around the world. However, the approach of the Springboks, France and All Blacks is typically amplified by their set-piece and gainline supremacy – and they have the depth to sustain that all-court approach over 80 minutes.
How are New Zealand shaping up heading into the Nations Championship
LN: A 6-3 record is hardly compelling, certainly by All Blacks standards, but with four Tests, three losses, against the Springboks away from home this season, context is important.
Dave Rennie is a mere five months into his national tenure – and he’s managing a huge injury toll after a torrid season with nine players sidelined for the year. The All Blacks made notable strides with their scrum, aerial and breakdown work in their dominant Bledisloe double against the Wallabies but tougher tests await. Their evolution must continue – and it will be fascinating to assess how their revived up-tempo attacking intent progresses in winter conditions.
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And France?
AC: The July matches were very promising, even with Dupont and Bielle-Biarrey absent. The depth of talent available to this team is seemingly endless.
Thomas Ramos is one of the key men missing for France. Dave Winter / INPHO
Dave Winter / INPHO / INPHO
However, as is the case for many other national sides, several key players are sidelined (Ramos, Jalibert, Meafou, Flament, Marchand, Brau-Boirie, etc.). If France can successfully implement their gameplan – relying on their primary playmakers (the fly-half and the full-back) – even without Ramos or Jalibert, they could certainly contend for the Nations Championship title. I believe the match against South Africa on 13 November is the most significant fixture for Les Bleus since their quarter-final defeat in 2023.
And how are the Springboks progressing as they chase a third straight World Cup title?
JC: Pretty well considering their injury list is as long, if not longer, than some of the other teams – Handré Pollard, RG Snyman, Cheslin Kolbe, Frans Malherbe, Trevor Nyakane, Kwagga Smith, Deon Fourie and Eben Etzebeth are just some of the players who won’t tour this November.
Rassie Erasmus has included six uncapped players in his squad, and overall there are a lot of young players who have made their Test debut in the current four-year cycle – Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Ethan Hooker, Paul de Villiers and Cameron Hanekom to name a few. Erasmus fielded an experimental team against Australia in September, and paid the price. The Boks are expected to strike a better balance over the next four Tests – as the selections for the opener against Italy suggest – but development will be as important as results, with Erasmus looking for answers ahead of the 2027 World Cup.
What do you see as the strengths of this Ireland team?
LN: Continuity – specifically the ability to retain the ball for long periods – defensive organisation and tactical awareness.
AC: To my mind, Ireland is at its most dangerous when it denies the opposition possession. When they are able to execute their brand of rugby – utilising their forward pods and having the fly-half operate well away from the defensive line – this team becomes truly formidable.
Ireland open their November Test window against Argentina on Friday. Ben Brady / INPHO
Ben Brady / INPHO / INPHO
I will always remember the Ireland v France match from the 2019 Six Nations. Les Bleus were given a lesson; they barely touched the ball. It looked more like a training session for Ireland. To me, that match perfectly illustrates the precision of this team: when they play like that, they are virtually untouchable.
JC: They’ve set the standard with their breakdown work and their ruck speed in past seasons, and when they get it right, they can tear any defence to shreds.
And what are the weaknesses?
LN: Ball carrying punch, depth concerns and lineout frailties at times.
AC: Ireland’s main weakness is actually a consequence of their greatest strength. They are such diligent “pupils” that when things don’t go according to plan, they struggle to improvise or step outside their established patterns. Their playmakers are extraordinary organizers, but I find they lack the flair and instinct needed to turn around difficult situations. In my view, the ability to adapt is what Ireland lacks most – and this is nothing new.
JC: Ireland’s scrum was humiliated when the Boks visited Dublin last year, and even at club level, their leading teams have battled to live with more physical sides like Bordeaux.
Who do you see as Ireland’s most important player?
LN: The easy answer is Jack Crowley or Sam Prendergast but, for me, it’s Caelan Doris. He’s an inspirational, irreplaceable leader when fit.
AC: It might not be a very original choice, but I’ll go with Tadhg Beirne. I believe he is one of the most complete players on the planet; he embodies modern rugby because he is capable of performing a huge, diverse range of tasks. He is the quintessential hybrid player.
Tadhg Beirne is a key man for Ireland. Nick Elliott / INPHO
Nick Elliott / INPHO / INPHO
Dan Sheehan falls into the same category – he doesn’t limit himself to the traditional duties of a hooker, but instead contributes significantly, especially in the wide channels. And, as someone who has always admired Yannick Jauzion, I also have a great deal of respect for the powerful, skilful centres Ireland has at its disposal, such as Robbie Henshaw and Stuart McCloskey.
LN: Tadhg Beirne. Powerful, athletic and inspirational, he amplifies the Irish players around them.
Will Ireland be World Cup contenders next year?
LN: History suggests no, but Ireland may never get a better chance to break their mental quarter-final block. Their pool clash with Scotland is pivotal. Emerge on the right side of that result, and the significantly softer side of the draw will be there for the taking.
AC: Ireland clearly stands out as the fourth-strongest team in the world, in my view. But they are an obvious contender for the title. If everything goes according to plan, they will find themselves in the easier half of the draw – on the opposite side from South Africa, New Zealand, and France. They are almost certain to win the first knockout match in their World Cup history!
Right now, they also look stronger to me than England, Australia, or Argentina. If they reach the final, anything could happen. Why not a rematch of the 2023 quarter-final against New Zealand? I was fortunate enough to be at the Stade de France that evening, and I believe it was the greatest rugby match I have ever witnessed.
JC: Given the draw and the new format, they will certainly have a chance. The Boks and All Blacks will probably meet in the quarterfinals, with Ireland on the other side of the draw. Ireland could end up playing Georgia in the Round of 16, Argentina in the quarters, and then England or Australia in the semis – and they certainly have what it takes to win those games. The bad news is that they will probably have to face one of South Africa, France or New Zealand in the final, and at that stage, the team with the best depth will be ideally placed to win the decider.
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'Everything to prove' - the view on Ireland from South Africa, New Zealand and France
HEADING INTO THE opening weekend of November Test games, Andy Farrell’s Ireland team are ranked third in the world.
A common saying in sport is that the table never lies, but in this instance, many would disagree. It is largely accepted, even by those within the Ireland camp, that Farrell’s squad have work to do if they are to be at the level of South Africa (first), New Zealand (second) and France (fourth) come next year’s World Cup.
In Ireland, there is a mix of opinions on whether this squad can indeed close that gap. But how is this Ireland team now perceived outside this island?
To get the view from the three other nations in World Rugby’s top four, The 42 spoke to Liam Napier of the New Zealand Herald, L’Equipe’s Adrien Corée and South African journalist Jon Cardinelli.
How much of a gap is there between Ireland and the big three of South Africa, France and New Zealand?
Liam Napier: We’ll know more after this month but evidence thus far this year suggests it’s significant. Form and perspective can rapidly change. Little separates the world’s top five teams on any given day. Ireland, though, have everything to prove after losing ground in recent years.
Adrien Corée: Currently, I believe South Africa stands clearly above the rest in its ability to prevail, even in difficult situations. They excel at managing periods where they are under pressure and wearing down their opponents. New Zealand and France are in pursuit; both are dangerous and formidable with the ball in hand, yet they can also prove vulnerable. I think Ireland is currently trailing this trio. They have lost the precision that made them the best team in the world in the early 2020s.
Jon Cardinelli: It’s substantial. Ireland have the players to boss the breakdowns and are revered for their attack around the world. However, the approach of the Springboks, France and All Blacks is typically amplified by their set-piece and gainline supremacy – and they have the depth to sustain that all-court approach over 80 minutes.
How are New Zealand shaping up heading into the Nations Championship
LN: A 6-3 record is hardly compelling, certainly by All Blacks standards, but with four Tests, three losses, against the Springboks away from home this season, context is important.
Dave Rennie is a mere five months into his national tenure – and he’s managing a huge injury toll after a torrid season with nine players sidelined for the year. The All Blacks made notable strides with their scrum, aerial and breakdown work in their dominant Bledisloe double against the Wallabies but tougher tests await. Their evolution must continue – and it will be fascinating to assess how their revived up-tempo attacking intent progresses in winter conditions.
And France?
AC: The July matches were very promising, even with Dupont and Bielle-Biarrey absent. The depth of talent available to this team is seemingly endless.
However, as is the case for many other national sides, several key players are sidelined (Ramos, Jalibert, Meafou, Flament, Marchand, Brau-Boirie, etc.). If France can successfully implement their gameplan – relying on their primary playmakers (the fly-half and the full-back) – even without Ramos or Jalibert, they could certainly contend for the Nations Championship title. I believe the match against South Africa on 13 November is the most significant fixture for Les Bleus since their quarter-final defeat in 2023.
And how are the Springboks progressing as they chase a third straight World Cup title?
JC: Pretty well considering their injury list is as long, if not longer, than some of the other teams – Handré Pollard, RG Snyman, Cheslin Kolbe, Frans Malherbe, Trevor Nyakane, Kwagga Smith, Deon Fourie and Eben Etzebeth are just some of the players who won’t tour this November.
Rassie Erasmus has included six uncapped players in his squad, and overall there are a lot of young players who have made their Test debut in the current four-year cycle – Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Ethan Hooker, Paul de Villiers and Cameron Hanekom to name a few. Erasmus fielded an experimental team against Australia in September, and paid the price. The Boks are expected to strike a better balance over the next four Tests – as the selections for the opener against Italy suggest – but development will be as important as results, with Erasmus looking for answers ahead of the 2027 World Cup.
What do you see as the strengths of this Ireland team?
LN: Continuity – specifically the ability to retain the ball for long periods – defensive organisation and tactical awareness.
AC: To my mind, Ireland is at its most dangerous when it denies the opposition possession. When they are able to execute their brand of rugby – utilising their forward pods and having the fly-half operate well away from the defensive line – this team becomes truly formidable.
I will always remember the Ireland v France match from the 2019 Six Nations. Les Bleus were given a lesson; they barely touched the ball. It looked more like a training session for Ireland. To me, that match perfectly illustrates the precision of this team: when they play like that, they are virtually untouchable.
JC: They’ve set the standard with their breakdown work and their ruck speed in past seasons, and when they get it right, they can tear any defence to shreds.
And what are the weaknesses?
LN: Ball carrying punch, depth concerns and lineout frailties at times.
AC: Ireland’s main weakness is actually a consequence of their greatest strength. They are such diligent “pupils” that when things don’t go according to plan, they struggle to improvise or step outside their established patterns. Their playmakers are extraordinary organizers, but I find they lack the flair and instinct needed to turn around difficult situations. In my view, the ability to adapt is what Ireland lacks most – and this is nothing new.
JC: Ireland’s scrum was humiliated when the Boks visited Dublin last year, and even at club level, their leading teams have battled to live with more physical sides like Bordeaux.
Who do you see as Ireland’s most important player?
LN: The easy answer is Jack Crowley or Sam Prendergast but, for me, it’s Caelan Doris. He’s an inspirational, irreplaceable leader when fit.
AC: It might not be a very original choice, but I’ll go with Tadhg Beirne. I believe he is one of the most complete players on the planet; he embodies modern rugby because he is capable of performing a huge, diverse range of tasks. He is the quintessential hybrid player.
Dan Sheehan falls into the same category – he doesn’t limit himself to the traditional duties of a hooker, but instead contributes significantly, especially in the wide channels. And, as someone who has always admired Yannick Jauzion, I also have a great deal of respect for the powerful, skilful centres Ireland has at its disposal, such as Robbie Henshaw and Stuart McCloskey.
LN: Tadhg Beirne. Powerful, athletic and inspirational, he amplifies the Irish players around them.
Will Ireland be World Cup contenders next year?
LN: History suggests no, but Ireland may never get a better chance to break their mental quarter-final block. Their pool clash with Scotland is pivotal. Emerge on the right side of that result, and the significantly softer side of the draw will be there for the taking.
AC: Ireland clearly stands out as the fourth-strongest team in the world, in my view. But they are an obvious contender for the title. If everything goes according to plan, they will find themselves in the easier half of the draw – on the opposite side from South Africa, New Zealand, and France. They are almost certain to win the first knockout match in their World Cup history!
Right now, they also look stronger to me than England, Australia, or Argentina. If they reach the final, anything could happen. Why not a rematch of the 2023 quarter-final against New Zealand? I was fortunate enough to be at the Stade de France that evening, and I believe it was the greatest rugby match I have ever witnessed.
JC: Given the draw and the new format, they will certainly have a chance. The Boks and All Blacks will probably meet in the quarterfinals, with Ireland on the other side of the draw. Ireland could end up playing Georgia in the Round of 16, Argentina in the quarters, and then England or Australia in the semis – and they certainly have what it takes to win those games. The bad news is that they will probably have to face one of South Africa, France or New Zealand in the final, and at that stage, the team with the best depth will be ideally placed to win the decider.
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Ireland Nations Championship Rugby top four