As the World Cup beckons in New Zealand we look at the contenders; their squads, chances, odds … and which pop star they might resemble.
Argentina
How far will they go? With England likely to win the group, Argentina’s fate will probably be decided by their meeting with Scotland on 25 September. They are not as much of a threat as they were four years ago and as a result, we expect them to fall at the first hurdle.
Squad:
Backs: Alfredo Lalanne Nicolás Vergallo, Felipe Contepomi (Captain), Nicolás Sánchez, Marcelo Bosch, Santiago Fernández, Gonzalo Tiesi, Horacio Agulla, Gonzalo Camacho, Agustin Gosio, Juan Jose Imhoff, Lucas González Amorosino, Martín Rodríguez.
Forwards: Agustín Creevy, Mario Ledesma, Marcos Ayerza, Maximiliano Bustos, Juan Figallo, Rodrigo Roncero, Martín Scelzo, Patricio Albacete, Manuel Carizza, Mariano Galarza, Tomas Vallejos, Alejandro Campos, Julio Farías Cabello, Genaro Fessia, Juan Manuel Leguizamón, Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe, Leonardo Senatore
Key man: Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe. Jonny Wilkinson will have warned his team-mates about the threat of his fellow Toulon clubman, who was so crucial to the Pumas making it to the last four in 2007. Felipe Contepomi may be the captain, but Lobbe is the heartbeat of this Argentina side.
Lobbe is crucial to the Puma’s hopes of having a good tournament
Odds: 300/1
If they were a popstar, they would be… Morrissey. Ageing, grizzly and uncomfortable to be around.
England
How far will they go? Although England haven’t set the world alight in recent years, they have proved to be the masters of World Cup rugby, winning the competition in 2003 and getting to the final in 2007 despite having precious little in terms of form to go on (An encouraging omen for Ireland, perhaps?).
Assuming they win the group, which shouldn’t be too difficult, they will probably meet France in the quarters and how that one will go is anyone’s guess. Given their pedigree, a semi-final spot is a possibility but it would be a major upset if they were to make it to their third consecutive World Cup Final.
Squad:
Backs: Delon Armitage, Chris Ashton, Matt Banahan, Mark Cueto, Toby Flood, Ben Foden, Shontayne Hape, Joe Simpson, Mike Tindall, Manu Tuilagi, Richard Wigglesworth, Jonny Wilkinson, Ben Youngs.
Forwards: Dan Cole, Alex Corbisiero, Tom Croft, Louis Deacon, Nick Easter, Dylan Hartley, James Haskell, Courtney Lawes, Lee Mears, Lewis Moody, Tom Palmer, Simon Shaw, Andrew Sheridan, Matt Steven, Steve Thompson, David Wilson, Tom Wood.
Key man: Manu Tuilagi. It seems a little bit much to identify a 20-year old as England’s key man, but Tuilagi offers something unpredictable in an otherwise predictable side.
He’s got pace, power and even though it’s got nothing to do with rugby, a serious right forehand smash, as Chris Ashton will testify. If he can replicate the form he showed against Ireland in the unfriendly friendly at the Aviva, he could have a big tournament.
Odds: 16/1
If they were a popstar, they would be… Adele. Not the prettiest to look at by any means, but still a force to be reckoned with.
Georgia
How far will they go? Before completely writing off Georgia’s prospects, let us cast our minds back to this time four years ago, when Ireland were given an almighty fright by the Georgians and only prevailed by four points in what turned out to be a disastrous tournament for our boys overall. They also managed to spank Namibia 30-0, which is a damn sight better than what we were able to do against the undisputed group minnows.
As in 2007, Georgia are in a group devoid of the big southern hemisphere teams and it is not beyond them to give one of the three higher-ranked teams an almighty fright. In reality, however, they’ll probably have to be content with a victory over Romania and fourth place in the group.
Squad:
Backs: Irakli Abuseridze (captain), Irakli Chkhikvadze, Revaz Gigauri, Lekso Gugava, Davit Kacharava, Lasha Khmaladze, Merab Kvirikashvili, Irakli Machkhaneli, Lasha Malaguradze, Bidzina Samkharadze, Alexander Todua, Malkhaz Urjukashvili, Tedore Zibzibadze.
Forwards: Dimitri Basilaia, Givi Berishvili, Jaba Bregvadze, George Chkhaidze, Levan Datunashvili, Akvsenti Giorgadze, Mamuka Gorgodze, Vasil Kakovin, Davit Khinchagishvili, Viktor Kolelishvili, Davit Kubriashvili, Vakhtang Maisuradze, Giorgi Nemsadze, Goderdzi Shvelidze, Shalva Sutiashvili, Ilia Zedginidze, Davit Zirakashvili.
Key man: Davit Zirakashvili. Eight of Georgia’s 30-man squad ply their trade in the Top 14 and six of them are props, so it’s fair to say that their front row packs a bit of a punch. Clermont prop Zirakashvilli has played in a World Cup and a Top 14 final already and will cause some of the more high-profile props in the group plenty of difficulties.
Odds: 5,000/1
If they were a popstar, they would be… 2011 Eurovision winners Eldar and Nigar. Do well within their own circle, but out of depth amongst the big boys.
Ever think you’d see these two in a rugby preview? Didn’t think so.
Romania
How far will they go?
As the last team to qualify for the World Cup, all signs point to the Romanians being the whipping boys of Pool B. Whether or not their World Cup is a success will depend on how they fare against Georgia on 28 September and as of this moment, you’d fancy the Georgians to prevail.
Last time out, they beat Portugal and really put it up to Italy for a decent tournament overall, but it would be a surprise if they could deliver a repeat this time around.
Squad:
Backs: Lucian Sîrbu, Valentin Calafeteanu, Florin Surugiu, D?nu? Dumbrav?, Ionu? Dimofte, Csaba Gál, Constantin Gheara, Ionel Cazan, C?t?lin Fercu, M?d?lin Lemnaru, Stefan Ciuntu, Florin Vlaicu, Iulian Dumitra?, C?t?lin Nicolae.
Forwards: Nicolae Nere, Mihaita Laz?r, Silviu Florea, Drago? Dima, Paulic? Ion, Marius Tincu, Bogdan Zebega, Andrei R?doi, Valentin Ursache, Cristian Petre, Valentin Popirlan, Cosmin Ra?iu (Dinamo), Ovidiu Toni?a (Perpignan), Mihai Macovei (Baia Mare), Daniel Carpo (Farul Constan?a), Daniel Ianus (Steau), Stelian Burcea (Timi?oara)
Key man: Ovidiu Toni?a. The 6’5’ flanker is a veteran of three World Cups and is one of the few players in the Romania squad who plays in one of the premier leagues in Europe. Unfortunately for him, will more than likely spend most of his time firefighting and doing his damnedest to keep the score down.
Odds: 5,000/1
If they were a popstar, they would be… Mickey Joe Harte. Unknown to almost everyone outside of their own country.
Scotland
How far will they go?
Scotland have finished in fifth-place in four consecutive Six Nations tournaments and their clubs are struggling badly in both the Magners League (we couldn’t be bothered giving it its new long-winded title) and the Heineken Cup, so understandably, there is little enthusiasm for the sport from our tartan brethren at the moment.
Saying that, nothing will get the Scots’ blood boiling more than a meeting with the auld enemy, and with Argentina not shaping up to be the force of old, there’s plenty of scope for Andy Robinson’s men to reach the quarter-finals. The other side of the coin is that, should they make it through, they will run into the All-Blacks in the last eight and that, my friends, is where their World Cup road will come to an end.
Squad:
Backs: Joe Ansbro, Mike Blair, Chris Cusiter, Simon Danielli, Nick De Luca, Max Evans, Ruaridh Jackson, Rory Lamont, Sean Lamont, Rory Lawson, Graeme Morrison, Dan Parks, Chris Paterson.
Forwards: John Barclay, Kelly Brown, Geoff Cross, Alasdair Dickinson, Ross Ford, Richie Gray, Dougie Hall, Jim Hamilton, Nathan Hines, Allan Jacobsen, Alastair Kellock, Scott Lawson, Moray Low, Euan Murray, Ross Rennie, Alasdair Strokosch, Richie Vernon.
Key man: Richie Gray. At 6’10, he’s unnaturally tall and will put his height to good use in the lineouts. He’s still only 22, but he is very highly rated in Scotland and is seen as crucial to their future prospects.
Odds: 300/1
If they were a popstar, they would be… Brian McFadden. Struggling to gather acclaim even in their own country.
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