France send out early statement with Ireland and South Africa following suit | RWC Round Up

With a four day break until the next round of games, we recap the opening weekend of the 2023 RWC.

The first set of games in the highly anticipated 2023 Rugby World Cup are in the books as the tournaments heavy hitters got off the mark early on.

From an Irish point of view, things couldn’t have got off to a much better start with the World’s #1 ranked side hitting Romania for 12 tries in the most lopsided game of the opening round.

France kicked off the tournament on home style with a statement win over New Zealand while holders South Africa overpowered Scotland yesterday. Elsewhere, England and Wales came through their respective ties in differing fashions.

With a four day break until the next round of games, we recap the opening weekend of the 2023 RWC.

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Pool A

The tournament kicked off in Pool A, as host nation France picked up an impressive 27-13 win over favourites New Zealand. Both countries can be got at the same price to win the World Cup and will defintely make it to the quarters but it is first blood to the hosts.

The other game in the pool saw Italy dismantle Namibia, proving much too strong in a 52-8 win.

Friday, September 8

France 27-13 New Zealand

Saturday, September 9

Italy 52-8 Namibia

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Pool B

Ireland made history in Pool B, as their twelve try victory over Romania saw them record their biggest ever World Cup win, on a scoreline of 82-8. Andy Farrell’s men ran in 12 tries in response to a blistering opening from the Romanians as they opened the scoring.

Their most obvious challengers for the quarters, South Africa showed their power against Scotland with second half tries powering them to a 18-3 victory on Sunday evening.

Saturday, September 9

Ireland 82-8 Romania

Sunday, September 10

South Africa 18-3 Scotland

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Pool C

Two-time winners Australia got their World Cup campaign off to a great start, running out 35-15 winners over Georgia in their Pool C clash.

Wales were just able to hold off Fiji in a cracking contest on Sunday evening, holding off their opponents in a 32-26 win where the Pacific Islanders bagged a brace of late tries and just missed out on a winner.

Saturday, September 9

Australia 35-15 Georgia

Sunday, September 10

Wales 32-26 Fiji

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2003 winners England defeated Argentina despite playing the vast majority of the game with 14-men following Tom Curry’s early red. In his absence, fly-half George Ford guided the English to citron with a trio of drop goals. Yesterday, Japan picked up a resounding 42-12 win over Chile.

Pool D

Saturday, September 9

England 27-10 Argentina

Sunday, September 10

Japan 42-12 Chile