Ireland will head into the upcoming 2023 Rugby World Cup in France with the weight of national expectation resting on their shoulders.
Having secured a series win in New Zealand and a Six Nations Grand Slam, Ireland are one of the front-runners in the outright betting market to lift the trophy.
However, having failed to deliver the goods at several previous major tournaments, some bookmakers are offering fairly generous odds on an Irish success. Their tough stance on Ireland’s chances was heightened after they were drawn alongside South Africa, Scotland, Tonga and Romania in the pool stage.
While Ireland are fancied to progress to the quarter-finals, they would likely face either France or New Zealand at that stage of the tournament. If they navigated their way through that encounter, their most likely semi-final opponents would be two-time champions Australia.
With southern hemisphere sides winning the Rugby World Cup on eight of the nine occasions it has been staged, it is little wonder that betting sites in Australia are willing to lay Ireland.
Despite this, Ireland wing James Lowe is confident the team can prove the oddsmakers wrong and win the tournament for the first time.
When asked about Ireland’s tough route to the final at the Stade de France on October 28, Lowe said they were happy to tackle the challenge they have been presented with.
“You are going to have to beat them along the way somewhere,” Lowe told Off the Ball podcast.
“To make it out of the pool is obviously the first battle and then the crossover game with either France or New Zealand.
“It’s exciting but we have to be prepared for everything.”
“I think we are in a good place to put our best foot forward and come September we will jump at the opportunity.”
After recently completing the second week of their training camp, the Irish squad are scheduled to meet again at Carton House on Sunday.
They face warm-up games against Italy (August 5), England (August 19) and Samoa (August 26) before travelling to France for the tournament.
Ireland go head-to-head with Romania on September 9, before tackling Tonga seven days later. They complete the pool stage against South Africa (September 23) and Scotland (October 7).
Although Andy Farrell’s side must overcome a tricky route to reach the final, their recent form gives them every chance of achieving the feat.