The third round of the 2023 Rugby World Cup is fast approaching, with the pool stages beginning to take shape after the opening fortnight of action. There are only eight spots up for grabs in the knock-out stages, with this weekend presenting real ‘make or break’ matches for some nations.
The action will commence in Pool A on Wednesday afternoon, with Italy taking on Uruguay in Lille (16:45 KO UK time). France are then again playing on Thursday night (20:00 KO UK time), as they take centre stage in Marseille. Les Bleus are looking to be the first side to record three wins at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, as they take on the Pool A underdogs Namibia.
The Southern African side have taken heavy defeats so far, with a 52-8 loss to Italy and a 71-3 defeat to New Zealand. A France win is more than expected to start us off for round three, if Fabien Galthie’s men get back to their best after an underwhelming performance against Uruguay. However, the ultimate upset could be on the cards, if France again take their minnow opponents too likely, as Namibia eye up their first ever Rugby World Cup win.
Here are the top five Rugby World Cup matches to watch this weekend, for match-day three.
1. Argentina vs Samoa – Pool D
Friday September 22nd, 16:45 KO, Saint-Etinne
This match could go a long way in deciding who progresses out of Pool D. Argentina and Samoa are set to battle it out on Friday evening in Saint-Etinne, with both sides setting their focus on joining the expected England in the knock-out stages.
Argentina are searching for their first win of the tournament, with this clash with Samoa being a must win match for Los Pumas. Argentina missed the second round with a bye, whilst the Pacific Islanders began their Rugby World Cup campaign with a 43-10 win over Chile. Samoa are the dark horses to progress from Pool D, and enter the tournament full of confidence after recording a Pacific Nations Cup win over pool rivals Japan, back in the Summer.
Samoa have also recently bolstered their ranks with some ex-All Blacks and Wallabies, as the likes of Christian Leali’ifano and Steven Luatua join up with Manu Samoa. Michael Cheika’s Argentina bring a high-octane tempo, and when coupled with the Pacific Island flair of Samoa, we are in for a treat in for Friday’s late kick off. This one will be close, but the experienced and established Pumas look like the favourites to take run away with the match in the latter stages, and build towards a quarter-final spot.
RUCK Prediction: Argentina 27 – 18 Samoa
2. England vs Chile – Pool D
Saturday September 23rd, 16:45 KO, Lille
England fans will need to set their alarms, as Steve Borthwick’s men run-out against Chile with a earlier start time than their past two matches. England look to win their third consecutive match in Pool D, and all but confirm their spot in the knock-out stages. Chile entered their first ever Rugby World Cup with the added element of surprise, however, Los Condores have had their wings clipped so far in the competition.
England fans will take comfort in knowing that Japan recorded a 42-12 win over Chile, in the opening weekend of action. Borthwick’s side despatched of the Brave Blossoms last Sunday night, with an albeit slower performance than hoped for in the 34-12 victory. Chile are searching for their first ever Rugby World Cup win, as they took a subsequent 43-10 defeat to Samoa in Round Two. Currently sat at the bottom of Pool D, you would be hard-pressed to find a player, pundit or fan who sees Chile recording the most unbelievable of upsets in this first time encounter.
Borthwick has the unenviable task of selecting his back-line, with his captain Owen Farrell eligible for selection. Farrell has now served his four-match ban, after his shoulder charge to the head of Taine Basham, in England’s Summer Nations Series win over Wales at Twickenham. George Ford has been in inspired form as England’s fly-half, with Manu Tuilagi and Joe Marchant running out well in the centres.
It’s certainly a tough call to predict, but the leading option sees Farrell return at inside centre, with Tuilagi outside him. This will re-unite the Ford-Farrell partnership that took England to the 2019 Rugby World Cup Final, and won them the 2020 Six Nations title under Eddie Jones. Marcus Smith’s position is also in contention, with England Assistant Coach Richard Wigglesworth backing the Harlequin as a fullback option.
RUCK Prediction: England 67 – 12 Chile