{"id":36419,"date":"2023-09-02T11:00:59","date_gmt":"2023-09-02T09:00:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/?p=1882148"},"modified":"2023-09-03T07:33:50","modified_gmt":"2023-09-03T05:33:50","slug":"rugby-world-cup-2023-predictions-brian-odriscoll-on-ireland-pool-b-and-winners","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/rss_feed\/rugby-world-cup-2023-predictions-brian-odriscoll-on-ireland-pool-b-and-winners\/","title":{"rendered":"Rugby World Cup 2023 predictions: Brian O\u2019Driscoll on Ireland, Pool B and winners"},"content":{"rendered":"

Brian O’Driscoll makes his Rugby World Cup 2023 predictions for Ireland ahead of the big tournament. <\/p>

By Michael Potts\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Saturday, 02 September 2023 at 09:00 AM<\/p>

\n\n

Ireland enter the Rugby World Cup riding on a wave of terrific form, but the best could still be yet to come, according to Brian O\u2019Driscoll.<\/p>\n

The Irish legend spoke to Radio Times magazine<\/strong> about his hopes for the team to go all the way in France, as well as key players to look out for across the all-star line-ups in the tournament.<\/p>\n

Ireland have been placed in a tricky Pool B alongside reigning world champions South Africa and Scotland.<\/p>\n

RadioTimes.com<\/a> has rounded up Brian O\u2019Driscoll\u2019s Rugby World Cup predictions for Ireland ahead of the tournament.<\/p>

Rugby World Cup 2023 predictions<\/strong><\/h2>\nInterview by Kate Battersby. First featured in Radio Times magazine<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n
Pool B looks tough. Is it a given that Ireland will go through?<\/strong><\/p>\n
BoD:<\/strong> Watching Scotland a few weeks ago I thought, \u201cMy God, is there a chance we don\u2019t?\u201d We have to think we\u2019re going to reach the quarter-finals, although those words could come back to ruin me. Then we could face either New Zealand or France \u2014 it couldn\u2019t be much tougher.<\/p>\n
And yet this is Ireland\u2019s best ever chance to win the World Cup\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n
BoD:<\/strong> No doubt. We\u2019ve failed to deliver before now, never even reaching a semi. This feels like a huge opportunity.<\/p>\n
What is Ireland\u2019s greatest strength?<\/strong><\/p>\n
BoD:<\/strong> Scoring tries from five metres out: holding possession there and finding a way to get over the line.<\/p>\n
Who will be their key player?<\/strong><\/p>\n
BoD:<\/strong> That\u2019s a photo finish between Johnny Sexton and Jamison Gibson-Park. The speed and tempo of that half-back partnership are vital.<\/p>\n
Which other players should we look for?<\/strong><\/p>\n
BoD:<\/strong> I\u2019m interested to see the teams with players who have converted back to the Pacific country of their birth or ancestry, particularly Tonga in Ireland\u2019s pool.<\/p>\n
Which underdogs can surprise people?<\/strong><\/p>\n
BoD:<\/strong> Fiji are a risk to Wales and Australia in Pool C. The only time in the four-year cycle that Fiji share a big pre-season together is before the World Cup.<\/p>\n
Who do you think can be the rising star of this World Cup?<\/strong><\/p>\n
BoD:<\/strong> Ireland\u2019s Caelan Doris is the perfect fit as a No.8 for what they\u2019re trying to do.<\/p>\n
Which player would you secretly want to have in the Ireland team?<\/strong><\/p>\n
BoD:<\/strong> France\u2019s Antoine Dupont is in a different sphere to everyone else.<\/p>\n
If it\u2019s not Ireland, who will win?<\/strong><\/p>\n
BoD:<\/strong> New Zealand. They\u2019re quietly going about their business and will be a real handful as the tournament progresses.<\/p>