Can Grand Slam champions Ireland win Rugby World Cup 2019?

Sport360 staff 00:04 19/03/2018
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Ireland are looking to retain their crown.

    Ireland have emerged as the dominant force in the northern hemisphere after sweeping all before them in the 2018 Six Nations.

    With a world No2 ranking firmly secured until the middle of the summer at least, we ask: Can Ireland win Rugby World Cup?

    What side are you on in our debate?

    Let us know using Twitter or getting in touch via Facebook.

    NIALL MCCAGUE, SAYS YES

    It’s often said that clinching a Grand Slam sits narrowly behind winning a World Cup – and after Ireland’s triumph at Twickenham – Joe Schmidt surely has his eyes firmly set on success in Japan next September.

    But for all the dreams of various international players and coaches, Ireland genuinely have a strong chance of winning rugby’s ultimate award in 2019 if key men can stay fit.

    Injuries are bound to happen over the next 18 months – but if Conor Murray and Jonny Sexton can stay healthy then the Men in Green will be difficult to stop.

    Question marks may hang over their depth in these two central positions – but in a scenario of either player sustaining an injury – Luke McGrath/Kieran Marmion and Joey Carbery/Paddy Jackson will surely boast enough confidence, skill and class to step into the coveted 9 and 10 jerseys with aplomb.

    People may point to their lack of experience, but the replacements in these positions are serious prospects waiting for their moment to shine.

    Overall, Ireland’s depth is certainly on par with the All Blacks.

    Injuries to Rob Henshaw, Chris Farrell and Josh van der Flier may have robbed them of marquee names during the Six Nations, but the players who stepped in were seamless in the way they showcased their class.

    With this depth available, Schmidt is on the front foot of his ambitions towards Japan, and has another 13 matches before the World Cup to shape this team into an even more unstoppable force.

    Ireland’s history at Rugby World Cup tournaments may be below brilliant – with defeats at the group stages in 2007 and quarter-final losses in 2011 and 2015.

    But, at Japan 2019, it’ll be Ireland’s best ever team who will be lining up to launch an assault on World Cup glory.

    A winnable group presents itself, with a potential quarter-final against South Africa and a potential semifinal against England or Australia.

    If the Green bandwagon can keep rolling up the hill with poise, then it could be a historic success for Schmidt’s side next Autumn.

    DAN OWEN, SAYS NO

    Ireland have run out deserved Gram Slam winners, but Joe Schmidt won’t be getting carried away just yet.

    Yes, they have romped to victory over their northern hemisphere rivals but talk of lifting the World Cup next October may just be stretching things a little.

    Let’s not kid ourselves, the Six Nations has been punctuated by underperformance – which Ireland have capitalised on brilliantly – but in terms of tuning up for Japan next year it’s difficult to read too much into it.

    It could have all have been so different too, if Johnny Sexton had missed that last-gasp drop goal in the opener against France – there would have been no Grand Slam, and no euphoria.

    Sexton showed his world class attributes in that moment, but if he hadn’t been there you would question if anyone else in green would land that kick. And therein lies an issue. Genuine strength in depth in key areas – especially the half-backs.

    Scrum half would be the biggest worry, with Conor Murray heads and shoulders above the options Schmidt would be left with if he were unavailable.

    Kieran Marmion and Luke McGrath has less than 10 internationals tional caps between them – and this isn’t going to grow too much in the next 18 months, so without Murray they would be missing a lynchpin.

    The story is similar with Sexton, but a little less severe. Joey Carbery might only have a handful of caps but the future is bright. His development is coming on at pace, but he would not be ready to lead at World Cup hopeful in Japan.

    Finally, when it comes to the World Cup, Ireland must get over the mental block they possess – having never been past the quarter finals. They followed up a comfortable win over Australia in 2011 with defeat to Wales, while a quarter-final defeat to Argentina curtailed their ambitions in 2015.

    Big-game experience is key – and at that level they may just come up short.

    Recommended