Ireland produced an outstanding Guinness Six Nations campaign, securing the Grand Slam and their fifth crown since 2002. Andy Farrell’s men faced a test of their mettle in the final game of the tournament against England at the Aviva Stadium. They overcame early adversity and then benefitted from the controversial dismissal of Freddie Steward to take the game away from the Red Rose, earning the sweep of all five nations and the Six Nations title. Ireland will now turn their attention on the World Cup. The odds from the top providers are encouraging for Farrell and his team to win the Webb Ellis Cup, although fans know all too well about the pain of past failures.
For the last 16 years, Ireland have boasted a squad capable of competing for the crown, but have failed to progress beyond the last eight of the competition. Their exit in 2019 was the most painful of all, suffering a crushing defeat at the hands of New Zealand, despite entering the tournament as the top-ranked side in the world. Ireland had beaten New Zealand on home soil under the tenure of Joe Schmidt in the 2018 Autumn Internationals, but were overmatched in Japan to miss out on the semi-finals. Farrell and his team should enter the 2023 World Cup with confidence that they can charge towards the final. Stage fright has been an issue for Ireland teams, who have struggled to cope with the weight of expectations.
Ireland will once more sit top of the world rankings heading into the tournament, and Farrell faces the biggest task of his career to break the cycle of failure at the World Cup.
Talent
Ireland have managed to retain the majority of their starters from the last World Cup, which is testament to the longevity and continued brilliance of their ageing talent. Johnny Sexton is front and centre for defying Father Time. At the age of 38, the fly-half continues to astound with his excellence at the position and he surpassed Ronan O’Gara as the highest points scorer in Six Nations history in his side’s win over England. Sexton does have to be managed carefully as he has taken his fair share of blows over the course of his career. His latest groin injury has ruled him out of the rest of the domestic season which is a concern. When healthy, Sexton remains arguably the best fly-half in the world. Although he has lost a semblance of his dynamic play from when he was at the peak of his powers, his experience and nous are vital for Farrell on the field. Sexton has unfinished business with the World Cup and it would be fitting to see him bow out of the competition with a winners’ medal.
Ireland have done an impressive job of retooling key areas of their squad since the last World Cup. The pack has been rotated well with Dan Sheehan and Ronan Kelleher offering the best rotation at hooker in the game. Caelen Doris is a rising star at flanker, while Ryan Baird and Craig Casey have made promising starts to their international careers. Perhaps the most exciting developments have come on the wing. Although neither James Lowe nor Mack Hansen were born in Ireland, both have been outstanding additions. Lowe has brought a physicality in all his play, while Hansen has the intelligence and skill to find the try line. Farrell has cultivated a dynamic threat with impressive depth across his backs. It could well make the difference between success and failure.
Past Failures
Ireland have to learn from their past mistakes to get over the line in 2023. Despite the talent available, the Shamrocks have never been able to advance beyond the quarter-finals. A number of inferior teams have managed to surge into the last four over the last 16 years, including a poor England team in 2007 that reached the final and a Wales side in 2019 that was on its last legs and is now in the process of a rebuild. Ireland should have reached at least one final over the last 16 years. In that time period, they’ve won the Six Nations five times, including the Grand Slam on three occasions. In 2007, Ireland somehow failed to progress beyond the Group Stage; four years later they were edged out by Wales in the last eight. Ireland had arguably their best chance to break the cycle of underachievement against Argentina in 2015, but conspired to lose in humiliating fashion to crash out of the tournament.
The weight of expectation was clear in the defeat to the Pumas as Ireland made several horrendous mistakes. The spotlight again proved to be too much for them to handle in 2019 as they failed to halt the New Zealand gauntlet. Worryingly for Ireland, England defeated the All Blacks in the semi-finals with a stoic defensive performance on their way to the final. Unless Ireland can solve their performance issues on the grand stage, their drought will only continue in France later in 2023.
Breaking Through
Ireland face a tough draw in Group B of the 2023 World Cup. The Shamrocks face the reigning champions South Africa and a Scotland side, who proved that they are a tough opponent in the Six Nations. Ireland will have ambitions of topping the group, but even then will have a difficult route into the last four. France and New Zealand are both in Group A, which is on a collision course with the teams in Group B in the last eight.
It means that Ireland will either have to beat France or New Zealand to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup for the first time. Les Bleus are playing in a home World Cup and will be desperate to claim the Webb Ellis Cup for the first time. New Zealand on their day can destroy any team in the world, so it will be far from straightforward even after getting out of the group, which is not a guarantee.
To win a World Cup you have to beat quality opponents. Ireland did it in the Six Nations by defeating France on their way to the Grand Slam and the title. They may have to do so again, although this time it will be in the cauldron of the Stade de France rather than Dublin. The eyes of the world will be on Farrell and his team. Surely they have the quality and experience to claim the Webb Ellis Cup.
