In December, Dan Cole and Ben Youngs discussed the World Cup draw on the For The Love of Rugby podcast, sharing their predictions for how they think the tournament will play out.
Join RUCK’s Instagram broadcast channel and get the latest rugby news straight to your phone.
For the pool stages, they focused on expected points totals for each team rather than individual scorelines. The former England internationals offered some bold takes, particularly on their old side.
With the tournament not taking place until next autumn, these are early predictions that could easily change. Even since the episode was recorded in December, teams have shifted in form and outlook following the Six Nations and the rest of the current season of rugby, meaning many sides now look different to how they did at the time. Video here.
Pool A
Ben Youngs began with a bold prediction, backing Australia to defeat New Zealand thanks to home advantage. In terms of points, they awarded Australia four points from the match, while New Zealand were given a losing bonus point.
The rest of the pool followed a more straightforward pattern, with Chile predicted to take the full five points against Hong Kong China, while both Australia and New Zealand were backed to claim maximum five-point hauls against Chile and Hong Kong China in their remaining fixtures.
Their final standings saw Australia top the pool on 14 points, ahead of New Zealand on 11, Chile on six and tournament debutants Hong Kong China on zero.
Pool B
Cole predicted South Africa to begin by defeating Italy, earning five points while denying the Azzurri any. Georgia were then backed to beat fellow Rugby Europe Championship side Romania, taking four points to Romania’s one.
South Africa were predicted to secure maximum five-point victories against both Romania and Georgia, while Italy were expected to do the same against Romania. The final fixture saw Italy edge Georgia, earning four points while Georgia collected a losing bonus point.
Pool C
Argentina were tipped to dominate Pool C, with Youngs predicting the Pumas to take the full five points against Fiji, Canada and Spain.
Fiji were still expected to remain comfortable runners-up, collecting two bonus points in defeat to Argentina before securing maximum-point wins in their other matches. Spain were backed to finish third after convincing victories over Canada.
Pool D
Pool D produced the closest prediction of the draw. Cole and Youngs spent considerable time debating Ireland versus Scotland, each initially favouring a different side.
They eventually settled on an Irish victory worth four points, with Scotland collecting two bonus points in defeat.
Youngs also predicted the tournament’s first draw, between Uruguay and Portugal, with both sides earning a bonus point alongside the points awarded for the draw.
Ireland and Scotland were otherwise expected to record comfortable five-point victories over both Portugal and Uruguay. The final standings had Ireland top on 14 points, with Scotland second on 12.
Pool E
Several one-sided results were predicted in Pool E, with France expected to claim maximum five-point wins against Japan, the USA and Samoa.
Japan were tipped to secure bonus-point victories in their other two matches, while Samoa were backed to edge the USA without a try bonus point.
The Americans, however, were still predicted to earn a losing bonus point. France were projected to finish first on 15 points, ahead of Japan on 11.
Pool F
England were predicted to be clear winners of Pool F, taking maximum five-point returns from all three of their matches. However, both Tonga and Wales were backed to earn losing bonus points in defeat to England.
Wales were expected to collect five points against Zimbabwe and then narrowly defeat Tonga, taking four points while Tonga earned two bonus points. Tonga were tipped to finish third after a maximum-point victory over Zimbabwe.
