Odds 9/1Performance at the last Rugby World Cup in 2011 Ireland came into the tournament very confident in 2011 and after defeating Australia 15-6 to finish first place in their pool things were looking very bright for the boys in green. Unfortunately they met a defiant Wales in the quarter-finals, whose outstanding performance sent the Irish home after a 22-10 defeat. Reasons Ireland will win Under Joe Schmidts leadership Ireland have played some phenomenal rugby. They are the current Six Nations champions having won back to back tournaments and victories over Australia and South Africa in test matches last autumn showed that they are capable of beating the best of the Southern Hemisphere teams as well. If they can keep Johnny Sexton fit for the whole tournament then the World Player of the Year nominee will be key to Ireland being successful at the tournament. Reasons Ireland wont win Whilst Irelands back-line is solid enough, without Brian ODriscolls name on the team sheet these days there just seems to be something missing. They havent looked terribly bright in their pre-tournament warm-up matches either, losing to both England and Wales and only narrowly defeating Scotland. Captain Paul OConnell Key Player Johnny Sexton Prediction Ireland will make it all the way to the final, only to fall at the last hurdle.
Sports betting enthusiast whose main interests are rugby, football and MMA. Also a huge WWE fan and a self diagnosed TV & movies addict, with a particular love of anything Marvel or Dan Harmon related.
