The Rugby World Cup is one of the most significant sporting events in 2023, and all eyes will be on France in September and October as 20 countries battle it out for glory.
If you want to keep up to date with the Rugby World Cup results, we’ve broken down the key elements of the tournament below.
Pool Games
With 20 nations participating in the 2023 Rugby World Cup, there is plenty of rugby union action in the pool stages to enjoy, with some huge clashes, including the reigning holders South Africa taking on Ireland and the host country France facing New Zealand.
Nine venues will host pool games:
- Stade de Bordeaux, Bordeaux
- Stade Pierre Mauroy, Lille
- OL Stadium, Lyon
- Stade Velodrome, Marseille
- Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes
- Stade de Nice, Nice
- Stade de France, Saint-Denis
- Stade Geoffroy Guichard, Saint Etienne
- Stadium de Toulouse, Toulouse
Quarter Finals
The top two nations in each pool will qualify for the quarter-finals, with the four top teams in each group facing the four second-place teams as follows:
- Winner Pool C v Runner-Up Pool D
- Winner Pool B v Runner-Up Pool A
- Winner Pool D v Runner-Up Pool C
- Winner Pool A v Runner-Up Pool B
The Stade de France and Stade Velodrome will each host two quarter-finals on Saturday 14th, and Sunday, the 15th of October.
So depending on the Rugby World Cup results in the pool stages, we could be set up for some exciting quarter-final clashes.
Semi-Finals
The two Rugby World Cup semi-finals will be held at the Stade de France, with the games scheduled for Friday 20th and Saturday 21st of October.
The 2019 semi-finals in Japan saw England defeat New Zealand and South Africa edge out Wales – can these nations make it to the semi-final stage again, though?
Final
The final of the 2023 Rugby World Cup will be held at the Stade de France on Saturday 28th, October. This will not be the first time the stadium has hosted a Rugby World Cup final, having done so in 2007, while it also hosted the World Cup final in 1998.
With home advantage, France will aim to line up in the final, but plenty of rugby will be played before we know the two nations contesting the 2023 Rugby World Cup final.
FAQs
New Zealand and France are vying for favouritism with the bookmakers, and the two world rugby heavyweights will clash in the opening match of the Rugby World Cup. But, with the backing of passionate home support, 2023 could finally be the year that sees France lift the Webb Ellis Cup.
Only four countries have won the Rugby World Cup – Australia, England, New Zealand, and South Africa.
New Zealand have won the Rugby World Cup on three occasions in 1995, 2011, and 2015.
New Zealand and South Africa have won the Rugby World Cup three times.
South Africa won the 2019 Rugby World Cup, defeating England 32-12 in the final in Yokohama, Japan.
Ireland are currently ranked the number one rugby team in the world.
England have won the Rugby World Cup once, defeating Australia in the 2003 final.
