Ireland
Coach Joe Schmidt
Captain Paul O’Connell
World ranking 3 World Cup best Quarter-finals, 1987, 1991, 1995, 2003, 2011
It is easy to forget that only two years ago Ireland were in a state of considerable disrepair. Finishing fifth in the 2013 Six Nations meant the end for Declan Kidney; Brian O’Driscoll was on his last legs and O’Connell was a permanent fixture in the treatment room. Step forward Schmidt, the Kiwi coach who won three European titles in his three years at Leinster and has secured the last two Six Nations with Ireland.
O’Driscoll has retired but Cian Healy, O’Connell, Sean O’Brien and Rob Kearney now form a formidable spine, while in Conor Murray and Jonathan Sexton they have a brains trust inferior to none. The trouble is, their World Cup record is woeful. They have never even been beyond the quarter-finals, but with a low-risk game plan centred around Sexton’s expert kicking – from hand and tee – Schmidt has created a side accustomed to winning. Having triumphed in only three of their last 16 encounters with France, Ireland will be nervously watching their opponents’ renaissance – but get past them and a quarter-final, most likely against Argentina, awaits.
France
Coach Philippe Saint-André
Captain Thierry Dusautoir
World ranking 7 World Cup best Second, 1987, 1999, 2011
Was William Webb Ellis actually a Frenchman all along? Probably not but his eponymous trophy certainly stirs something in Les Bleus. In the past four years France have been awful. Saint-André’s selection policy has been bewildering and, at the end of the Six Nations, his record was 15 wins in 37 matches. Yet all of a sudden France have found themselves. Whereas before the pack plodded, now they have purpose. The Toulouse No8 Louis Picamoles looks lean and mean again and the front row have fine scrummagers in Nicolas Mas and Vincent Debaty. In the backs they have Wesley Fofana, the stand-out centre in Europe, and in Yoann Huget a wing of real pedigree.
There was a simplicity to their play against England in Paris – abrasive and on the front foot – and it is there where Frédéric Michalak thrives. He is remembered for falling to pieces in the 2003 semi-final against England, but it was in the matches before that when the then 21-year-old announced himself on the world stage. Which Michalak turns up this time will largely dictate the outcome for the only side to reach three World Cup finals – 1987, 1999 and 2011 – without winning one.
Italy
Coach Jacques Brunel
Captain Sergio Parisse
World ranking 15 World Cup best First round, two wins, 2003, 2007, 2011
It is fortunate Parisse has among the broadest shoulders in world rugby because once again the almighty No8 carries his country’s hopes. Italy’s stagnation has continued since Brunel replaced Nick Mallett after the last World Cup and, while there have been high points including wins over both Ireland and France, recent form suggests it will be another pool exit for the Azzurri, who have never made the knockout stages. They came mighty close in 2007 only for an 18-16 defeat by Scotland to deny them but, with Parisse increasingly susceptible to injury and Martin Castrogiovanni now 33, they will be more worried about keeping pride intact. That is not to say they do not have some good young players. Michele Campagnaro has a burgeoning reputation at centre and Tommaso Allan is growing into the No10 jersey. Still, not long ago a pay dispute threatened Italy’s very participation at the World Cup and the desperate plight of their two Pro12 sides means they arrive with little optimism.
Canada
Coach Kieran Crowley
Captain Tyler Ardron
World ranking 18 World Cup best Quarter-final, 1991
A success story of the 2011 World Cup after victory over Tonga and a draw with Japan, Canada’s target will be to upset Italy before locking horns with Romania. They will play with attacking verve, boasting a couple of British-based speedsters in Glasgow’s DTH van der Merwe and Jeff Hassler of the Ospreys, but two recent defeats to USA do not bode well. Advancing will be beyond them, but the presence of the Clermont bruiser Jamie Cudmore means they will not go down without a fight.
Romania
Coach Lynn Howells
Captain Mihai Macovei
World ranking 17 World Cup best First round, one win in pool, 1987, 1991, 1999, 2003, 2007
In the 80s and 90s Romania were a growing force in rugby union, but since the turn of the century they have managed only two World Cup wins and have never been out of their group. In 2011 they lost all four of their matches, including a demoralising 25-9 defeat to their rivals Georgia. Howells, the former Wales international, will target Canada and, as it is traditionally Romania’s strength, will look to his largely France-based front row, with a little bit of magic from the Saracens full-back Catalin Fercu, to achieve victory.
