The Rugby World Cup Team-by-Team Guide: Pool D

Last, but not least, in our team-by-team Rugby World Cup guide is Pool D, featuring a likely two way scrap between France and Ireland to top the pool, as well as perennial underdogs Italy, Romania and Canada.

CANADA
World Ranking: 18th

Strengths
They have decent pedigree at World Cups, having won at least one game at every tournament apart from 2007 – including last time out against Tonga. Their front five is solid and stalwart second row Jamie Cudmore will ensure they do not lack for passion or aggression. Gordon McRorie is a decent source of points from the tee.

Weaknesses
They have the worst form of any side coming into the tournament, having lost seven games on the bounce. Their only win in the last two years came against Namibia, and it was a narrow one at that. The best they can hope for at this tournament is a win over Romania, having been drawn in a tough pool also.

Key player: Tyler Ardron
Captain Ardron is a no-nonsense player, and exactly the type of man you want leading your side at a World Cup. He will tackle all day and will be the first man in a Canada shirt to plenty of breakdowns.

Unexpected genius: Brett Beukeboom
With a name like that, how can he not provide some sort of entertainment this World Cup? Commentators everywhere will be waiting in anticipation for him to make a big hit – Beukebooooooooom!

Do say: “The Canadians have a proud World Cup history, having qualified for every single tournament.”
Don’t say: ‘Ey’ at the end of every sentence.

Predicted finish: Group stage

FRANCE
World Ranking: 7th

Strengths
They will make it out of this group, and once you put France in the knockout stages of a World Cup, anything can happen. They came within a point of winning the 2011 tournament despite bringing dire form into the tournament and losing to Tonga in the group stages. Nothing in the history of rugby has ever been more French than that.

Weaknesses
There has been so little consistency in the selection of their half-backs in recent years that the two players who featured in the 10 shirt in the Six Nations aren’t even in the World Cup squad. Freddie Michalak will start at fly-half and no-one typifies French rugby better than him – capable of brilliance and monumental stupidity in the same breath. Bof.

Key player: Louis Picamoles
At his best, Picamoles is a glorious contradiction of powerful running and silky soft hands, just as likely to plough a defender into the dirt as he is give a deft inside pass. After injury issues he looks to be getting back to near that best, which should be a worry for everyone else.

Unexpected genius: Uini Atonio
Atonio is the heaviest player at the World Cup by some 11 pounds, which, in a tournament that includes some massive Georgians and hulking South Americans, is quite some statement. If he can use that size effectively, both in the scrum and the loose, he can be a weapon for France.

Do say: “France always seem to turn on the style at World Cups, don’t they?”
Don’t say: “LOOK AT HOW MANY GOOD PLAYERS THEY HAVE WHY THE HELL AREN’T THEY PLAYING BETTER?!?!”

Predicted finish: Quarter-finalists

IRELAND
World Ranking: 5th

Strengths
Despite their recent losses, Joe Schmidt has transformed this Ireland side into a ruthless machine. They do everything with precision, not taking too many risks – but then you could argue that the decision to completely shun expansive play is a risk in itself. Whatever the case, it has worked, the efficiency of their play bringing back-to-back Six Nations titles. If they top their pool, their route to the final avoids any of the Southern Hemisphere giants.

Weaknesses
Their losses to Wales and England recently have exposed a lack of Plan B. When Sexton and Murray’s kicking game isn’t as pinpoint as it should be, or the opposition has found a way to nullify that kicking threat, they have looked uneasy trying to force the game in other ways. An alternative to the territory-based game needs to be found, because chances are at some stage in the tournament they will find their natural game-plan thwarted.

Key player: Johnny Sexton
There’s no getting around it: if Sexton stays fit, Ireland have a very, very good chance of winning the World Cup. If he gets crocked – as he has a niggling propensity to do – their chances are significantly diminished. His game management and kicking from 10 is second to none and he is probably the best leader of a back-line in the world.

Unexpected genius: Keith Earls
Not exactly an unknown name, but Earls has never really made good on the potential shown as a youngster (remember the 2009 Lions tour?). He has been in and out of the side for years, and it was highly doubtful that he was going to make the final squad. But he has, and is the kind of player that can provide that point of difference if Ireland’s Plan A isn’t working.

Do say: “Is there a more inspirational leader than Paul O’Connell? The Munsterman is a colossus.”
Don’t say: “Where’s Brian O’Driscoll?” (Hint: he’s in the ITV studio)

Predicted finish: 2nd place (losing finalists)

ITALY
World Ranking: 14th

Strengths
The Italians have always presented a robust physical challenge, with no shortage of powerful scrummagers and strong ball-carriers. This tournament will be no different, with the likes of Martin Castrogiovanni and Leonardo Ghiraldini providing a solid platform at the set-piece for their backs to play from.

Weaknesses
Of course, the perennial weakness in the Italy team has been having a pair of half-backs to direct matters behind a pack that more often than not will at the very least hold its own. Tommaso Allan is the man chosen to wear the number 10 jersey for this tournament, but despite his undoubted potential he hasn’t really done anything of great note on the international stage yet. The loss of Luca Morisi in the midfield deprives them of one of their few line-breakers in the backs.

Key player: Sergio Parisse
Another no-brainer. The captain and worldwide superstar is currently battling a knee injury, and Italy will be desperate to get him back in time for their big pool matches. He carries the weight of this team on his shoulders and without him, the Italians’ hopes of making the knockout stages all but evaporate.

Unexpected genius: Michele Campagnaro
Name ring a bell? Campagnaro is the scrum hat clad centre whose brace in 2013 threatened to thoroughly embarrass Wales in Cardiff. He was one of the most dangerous centres in that tournament, but injuries have deprived him of form since then. He’s back firing now and will need to plug the Morisi-shaped hole in their midfield.

Do say: “Despite being a team on the rise, Italy have never made it out of the group stages at a World Cup. Is this their year?”
Don’t say: “Maybe they should try Andrea Pirlo at fly-half.”

Predicted finish: Group stages

ROMANIA
World Ranking: 17th

Strengths
Another team in this pool with an excellent pedigree of making World Cups, Romania have featured in every single tournament since 1987. Like their Eastern European neighbours Georgia, they have a teak-hard set of forwards, epitomised by gnarled captain Mihai Macovei. It is in the pack where they will look to beat up Canada for their likely only shot at a win.

Weaknesses
The majority of the squad plies its trade within Romania, which is great for unity but not so much for exposure to top level rugby. With that in mind their fitness and technical excellence at the set-piece will really be examined, and probably found wanting by the bigger sides.

Key player: Paulica Ion
The grizzled, experienced prop is one of the few players with extensive experience playing top end professional rugby, having played in the Top 14 and Premiership for many years. He will be the cornerstone of the pack in the front row and will represent a robust challenge at scrum time.

Unexpected genius: Catalin Fercu
Saracens fans might be familiar with this man, after the North London club somewhat surprisingly signed the then unknown winger in 2014. In truth his game time has been limited, but his experience with Saracens will stand him in good stead if any try-scoring chances come his way.

Do say: “Romania have a really mean set of forwards – which is fitting as their nickname is ‘The Oaks’.”

Predicted finish: Group stages

By Jamie Hosie
Follow Jamie on Twitter: @jhosie43

Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images

Take us on! Join our Rugby World Cup Predictor and RWC Fantasy games on SuperBru.