Rugby World Cup 2023: What predictions for Scotland?
by Steve Ashfield | by Kevin Richard
Tough Task Ahead for Scotland
Scotland travel across the channel to France hoping to at least make it out of the pool stages. They didn't manage to do that in the 2019 Rugby World Cup when only finishing third behind Japan and Ireland. That was only the second time they have been eliminated at that stage, the other occasion being in 2011.
They are in Pool B for this year's tournament and face a tough battle to avoid an early exit. A top two finish is needed but they face Ireland (currently top of the world rankings), defending champions South Africa, Tonga and Romania. If they are to qualify for the quarter finals, then they need to cause a shock against either South Africa or Ireland and avoid slipping up in the other games. Scotland are ranked fifth in the world but Ireland top those rankings with South Africa in fourth. That sums up the size of the task they have ahead of them.
The Pool of Death
Scotland are ranked fifth in the world but are going to find it difficult to get into the knockout stages of the 2023 Rugby World Cup. They will need players such as Darcy Graham (above) to be on top form.
They had a good Six Nations tournament this year, finishing third in the overall standings. Wins came against England at Twickenham and at home to Italy and Wales. Two defeats were inflicted on them though. They lost away in France 32-21 and at home to eventual champions Ireland on home soil at Murrayfield.
Scotland will again face Ireland in their 2023 Rugby World Cup pool. They have lost their last eight games against the Irish side, last winning in 2017. Of those eight defeats, five of them have seen the Irish side finish at least 15 points ahead of the Scots.
Their record against South Africa (who they play in their opening match) is also a disappointing one. The last seven internationals against the current world champions have all been lost. They have lost 23 of their 28 matches against the South Africans. All five of their wins came at home. Four of their last five games against the Springboks have been lost by at least 15 points. You have to go back to 2010 for the last time Scotland beat South Africa.
They have won two of their last three matches. Wins have come against France and Italy but the most recent game on August 12 produced a 30-27 loss to France. Scotland knows that it's going to be tough to get out of their Pool. Their head coach Gregor Townsend says they will go to the Rugby World Cup with a "nothing to lose mentality." Scotland are outsiders but their focus is "delivering our game" and to "go after the opposition."
Townsend has been pleased with the two performances against France and believes his young squad of players is "growing in confidence." They will need to keep on growing if they want to reach the knockout stages. Throughout the tournament we will be previewing every single match, so keep on checking our Rugby World Cup predictions page.
2023 Rugby World Cup - Scotland's Fixtures
Scotland begin their 2023 Rugby World Cup campaign with a match against South Africa. That's followed by the matches against Tonga and Romania that they are fully expected to win. It may well be a grandstand finish to the pool as they play Ireland in their final game. Here's the full fixture list.
- South Africa v Scotland - September 10th - 16:45 - Stade Velodrome, Marseille
- Scotland v Tonga - September 24th - 16:45 - Allianz Riviera, Nice
- Scotland v Romania - September 30th - 20:00 - Stade Pierre Mauroy, Lille
- Ireland v Scotland - October 7th - 20:00 - Stade de France, Saint Denis
If you want to follow all the live action go to our Sportytrader Rugby World Cup Livescore Page.
What Bets to Make for Scotland in the 2023 Rugby World Cup?
Scotland have never made it to the semi-finals of the Rugby World Cup. Only twice have they failed to make it out of the pool stages but the bookmakers believe a third time is on the horizon. William Hill give odds of 9.00 on them winning Pool B and that looks a fair estimation of their chances of finishing above both South Africa and Ireland. The same bookmakers have Scotland at 1.14 to be eliminated at the pool stage. That does look the most likely outcome for the Scottish side.
They are 41.00 at bet365 to win the 2023 Rugby World Cup. We don't believe that is going to happen in France this summer. If you do, then take the odds now because it they start with a win over South Africa, those odds will shorten
.Let's look at the first match against South Africa on September 10th. Scotland are 5.1 at Vbet to win that match. They have lost both their previous World Cup matches against the Spingboks being defeated in both 1999 and 2015. With just one win in their last 15 games against the South Africans and never having beaten them outside of Scotland, it's tough to predict a win.
The same goes for the match against Ireland, odds not available yet for that game. When they play Tonga and Romania, the Scots will be favorites but at short prices. They have won four out of five games against Tonga and 11 out of 13 against Romania. Time for some handicap betting to get better odds when those matches take place.
All the 2023 Rugby World Cup prices will be seen on this dedicated Rugby World Cup odds page.
