My way-too-early Rugby World Cup predictions

It pains me to say but you can probably take Australia off that list and leave it as being four most likely to win. Wallabies have unfortunately become the sick man of rugby.

Pool C same as 2003, except ABs have enough depth to take on the big guns in the semis if someone gets injured early. They'll beat England there, then take Ireland in the final, 40-15. Fijis best chance of making quarters with Australia's rubbish form.

Mega chokers.

Ireland’s and England’s depth will be sorely tested in this tournament. I think the winner will again be a sh team with the final being a rematch between the abs and the boks.

England have never beaten NZ in a World Cup, nor away from home I believe. NZ mid season will be a very different prospect than NZ end of season as well.

AB supporter here Hugh, well done to your boys last week, a great effort. As to the World Cup, you could well be right with Ireland going to the final, it'll be interesting to see how well the NH teams play AWAY this 6 Nations. I don't think we are the favourites now, but think that next year in Asia in humid conditions we will be right in the bunch when it comes to playing in consecutive weeks in neutral venues. Also I feel the environment there will really suit Australia, often a very good team in tournament conditions in neutral venues. The Saffas also a HUGE threat in this situation. You guys, England, France, Australia, South Africa, the ABs. Some one's got to go all the way. Can't wait.

Assuming of course that NZ beat S.A and win their 1/4 final.????

If the Wallabies get their act together, they have the best draw and with a bit of luck they could make the WC final.

Yes agreed. England will have 5 tough matches in 5 weeks to make the final. Its never been done before and will be there downfall. On a dry track in Japan and with a fresher squad as NZ play SA in the first week. I would call NZ as favourites and they won't under estimate them after Twickers this year.

The Irish fans and press of late 2018 remind me a lot of the English in late 2014.

Was more impressed with England with far more missing key players than Ireland and Eddie has an advantage in knowing Japan rugby, the grounds, weather stadiums etc more than any other coach. Its a long way to go and to make predictions on the back of the end of year tours, at a time that is always going to see the north sides in the better light isnt wise.Had we made them after the France Ireland England tours theyd probably be fairly different again, none of them looking overly convincing, certainly noy world cup winners.

Timings not in their favour either. 6 N in feb, march then six months of no real competitive tests, probably a few friendlies chucked in. Theyll be fresh, depending on their club involvement but also raw.

Huh? Worked for twenty years though. Ireland have a long way to go. I dont think in this tournament Ireland go from a best ever result being a pool match vs oz in 2011 to winning pool and all three knockouts. Doesnt happen, esoe ially when their best away result vs any of the previous winners last two years is 9 points. Theyve yet to be convincing on a sustained, away capaign. In terms of their chances theyre one of probably three and on a good for a couple of others, five. One of NZ, Ireland, England, SA or Oz are going to win this, oz probably the outer but in my opinion a better chance than france, wales, arg, or scotland on the hot, fastturfs of Japan, at that time of year. NZ are getting picked apart at the moment by fans, media, ‘experts’ coming out of the woodwork all over the place so a good place to be in. Theyll still be the most feared side at the tourney. They still have the most consistently highly skilled individuals of any side, form and teamwork taking a bit of a hit this year. SA, oz and Argie tend to get bolstered by a few NH additions, provided they dont break team protocols...beale always seems to be in the middle of anything going on doesnt he?

Some premature predictions there mate

Springboks will knock Ireland out in Quarter finals to Play ABs in the Final...no NH side will play in the WC Final....six nations will be to much for NH sides, where Superugby comp will benefit SH sides.

The most significant problem for Ireland is Sexton. They are an injury to the 10 away from bombing out in quarters as in 2015. Carbery is really yet to convince of his suitability as backup. But he will get good ongoing experience at Munster and I would not be surprised to see him start in 6 nations more than the once against Italy. Was Madigan really that bad that they had to ditch him altogether? And the only positive I ever heard about Jackson was an Irish fan saying that he no longer gave up all hope when he was named as a starter.

ABs should be seen as prohibitive favourite. But ... The beauty of this draw is they face a fearless young fast SA team in the first match!

Injury rates continue to climb, rule-bending is an art, and tight games tend to be won by the big stars. So ... A symbiosis of squad depth AND top-shelf star quality, with referee-reading skills is the mix needed in this humid Eastern tourney. There only look to be 5 teams with the depth, nous, and stars to raise this Cup: NZ, SA, England, Wales, and Ireland. But ARG and OZ could knock a couple of NH teams out, and of the five “deep” teams (with smarts and stars) I’ve identified, SA and Wales seem the least equipped to lose their 3 best players.

Touchè

Fact is a lot of the northern hemisphere sides don’t travel well, just like an Englishman in Costa del Sol. Be a whole different ball game at RWC. Although I’m sure every Irishman and bandwagon Irish fan will be there as if Conor McGregor was having a biff