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Ireland at the Rugby World Cup

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Map of nations' best results, excluding nations which unsuccessfully participated in qualifying tournaments.

The Ireland national rugby union team have played in all ten Rugby World Cup tournaments. They have reached the quarter-finals at all but two tournaments, but have yet to progress to the semi-finals. They have finished top of their pool on three occasions.

Ireland has competed at every Rugby World Cup since the tournament was first held in Australia and New Zealand in 1987.

Summary

[edit]

After a loss to Wales, Ireland finished second in their pool in 1987 but were then knocked out by Australia in their quarter final in Sydney.

In 1991 Ireland again lost only the one match in pool play (to Scotland). They again met the Australians in the quarter-finals, who defeated them by one point.[1] Runner-up in their pool in 1995 to New Zealand, Ireland were defeated by France in their quarter-final in Durban.

Ireland finished second in their pool in 1999, behind Australia and went into the quarter-final play-offs (a system exclusive to the 1999 tournament). There they lost to Argentina, and thus, not being quarter-finalists, they were not given automatic entry into 2003.

They defeated Russia and Georgia to go through the 2003 World Cup as Europe 1. They finished second to Australia in their pool, and were knocked out by France in the quarter finals.

They started in the so-called "Group of death" with hosts France, Argentina, Namibia and Georgia in the 2007 Rugby World Cup. They played Namibia (the lowest ranked team in the World cup) in their opening game on 9 September which resulted in a narrow 32–17 win.[2] Their progress was then put into doubt when they beat Georgia 14–10, not obtaining a bonus point.[3] France's victory over Namibia 87–10 put Ireland's progression from the group in doubt, and this was compounded when the French defeated Ireland 25–3.[4] Entering their last group match against Argentina, needing four tries to secure a bonus point without allowing Argentina anything, Ireland were defeated by 30 points to 15 and crashed out at the pool stage for the first time.[5]

Ireland began their 2011 Rugby World Cup campaign on the back of four defeats in a series of warm-up tests in August, with a 22–10 victory over the United States in New Plymouth on 11 September. Failing to secure a bonus point against world cup minnows the United States, a team ranked far below Ireland, this was an unconvincing win. Contrary to preceding form, and indeed beating most commentators expectations, Ireland produced a memorable performance to defeat reigning tri-nations champions Australia 15–6 in their second pool game in Eden Park in Auckland on 17 September. This was the first Irish win against tri-nations opposition in the southern hemisphere in 32 years. It was also Ireland's first ever win against Australia in the Rugby World Cup. After comprehensive wins against Russia and Italy in the final two pool-stage matches, Ireland topped Pool C. This was the first ever time Ireland came first in a world cup pool. Ireland advanced to the quarter-finals to face Wales in Wellington. They were defeated 22–10 by the Welsh, thus ending their 2011 campaign.

Ireland topped Pool D of the 2015 Rugby World Cup with four victories and with two bonus points. Ireland beat Canada and Romania with bonus points in their first two games. Ireland then faced Italy, coming out on top 16–9,[6] the only try coming from Keith Earls who surpassed Brian O'Driscoll as Ireland's leading Rugby World Cup try scorer with eight. The final pool game saw Ireland face France. The winner would set up a quarter final against Argentina and avoid the All Blacks. Ireland overcame the loss to injury of key players Johnny Sexton, Peter O'Mahony and Paul O'Connell to run out 24–9 winners.[7][8] The victory set up another game for Ireland in the Millennium Stadium against Pool C runners up Argentina on 18 October 2015. Ireland battled and came back from a 17-point deficit to come within 3 points of their opponents, but eventually lost 43–20.

At the 2019 Rugby World Cup, Ireland began with a 27–3 win against Scotland on 22 September before losing to Japan a week later 19–12 in the Shizuoka Stadium.[9][10] Wins over Russia by 35-0 and Samoa by 47-5 set up a quarter-final against New Zealand on 19 October.[11][12] In Joe Schmidt's last game in charge, New Zealand won easily by 46–14 to eliminate Ireland from the World Cup at the quarter-final stage for the seventh time.[13][14][15]

At the 2023 Rugby World Cup, Ireland ranked 1st in the world opened their campaign with their biggest ever win at a Rugby World Cup beating Romania 82–8 in Pool B on 9 September.[16] On 16 September they defeated Tonga 59–16, and a week later won against South Africa 13–8.[17][18] Ireland went on to win their final pool match against Scotland 36–14 at Stade de France on 7 October and finished top of the pool.[19] In the quarter-final's a week later they lost 24–28 to New Zealand at the Stade de France, and were knocked out of the tournament. It was the eighth time that Ireland have been knocked out at the quarter-final stage.[20][21]

By position

[edit]
Rugby World Cup record Qualification
Year Round Pld W D L PF PA Squad Head coach Pos Pld W D L PF PA
New Zealand Australia 1987 Quarter-finals 4 2 0 2 99 74 Squad M. Doyle Invited
England France Ireland Scotland Wales 1991 Quarter-finals 4 2 0 2 120 70 Squad C. Fitzgerald Automatically qualified
South Africa 1995 Quarter-finals 4 2 0 2 105 130 Squad G. Murphy Automatically qualified
Wales 1999 Quarter-finals play-off 4 2 0 2 124 73 Squad W. Gatland 1st 2 2 0 0 123 35
Australia 2003 Quarter-finals 5 3 0 2 162 99 Squad E. O'Sullivan 1st 2 2 0 0 98 17
France 2007 Pool stage 4 2 0 2 64 82 Squad Automatically qualified
New Zealand 2011 Quarter-finals 5 4 0 1 145 56 Squad D. Kidney Automatically qualified
England 2015 Quarter-finals 5 4 0 1 154 78 Squad J. Schmidt Automatically qualified
Japan 2019 Quarter-finals 5 3 0 2 135 73 Squad Automatically qualified
France 2023 Quarter-finals 5 4 0 1 214 74 Squad A. Farrell Automatically qualified
Australia 2027 Automatically qualified
Total 45 28 0 17 1322 809 4 4 0 0 221 52
  Champions    Runners-up    Third place    Fourth place Home venue


Matches

[edit]

Pool 2 matches –

Team Pld W D L PF PA PD T Pts Qualification
 Wales 3 3 0 0 82 31 +51 13 6 Knockout stage
 Ireland 3 2 0 1 84 41 +43 11 4
 Canada 3 1 0 2 65 90 −25 8 2
 Tonga 3 0 0 3 29 98 −69 3 0
Source: [citation needed]

25 May 1987
 Ireland6–13[22][23] Wales
Pen: Kiernan (2)Try: Ring
Pen: Thorburn
Drop: Davies (2)
Athletic Park, Wellington
Attendance: 15,000
Referee: Kerry Fitzgerald (Australia)

30 May 1987
Canada 19–46[24][25] Ireland
Try: Cardinal
Pen: Rees (3)
Wyatt
Drop: Rees
Try: Crossan (2)
Bradley
Spillane
Ringland
MacNeill
Con: Kiernan (5)
Pen: Kiernan (2)
Drop: Ward
Kiernan
Carisbrook, Dunedin
Attendance: 9,000
Referee: Fred Howard (England)

3 June 1987
 Ireland32–9[26][27] Tonga
Try: Mullin (3)
MacNeill (2)
Con: Ward (3)
Pen: Ward (2)
Pen: Amone (3)
Ballymore, Brisbane
Attendance: 4,000
Referee: Guy Maurette (France)

Quarter-final

7 June 1987
Australia 33–15 Ireland
Tries: Burke (2)
McIntyre
Smith
Con: Lynagh (4)
Pen: Lynagh (3)
ReportTries: Lee Reynolds
Kiernan
Con: Kiernan (2)
Pen: Kiernan
Concord Oval, Sydney
Attendance: 14,356
Referee: Brian Anderson (Scotland)

Pool 2 matches –

Team Pld W D L PF PA PD Pts
 Scotland 3 3 0 0 122 36 +86 6
 Ireland 3 2 0 1 102 51 +51 4
 Japan 3 1 0 2 77 87 −10 2
 Zimbabwe 3 0 0 3 31 158 −127 0
Source: [citation needed]
1991-10-06
Ireland 55–11 Zimbabwe
Tries: Robinson (4), Popplewell (2), Geoghegan, Curtis
Con: Keyes (4)
Pen: Keyes (5)
ReportTries: Dawson, Schultz
Pen: Ferreira
Lansdowne Road, Dublin
Attendance: 40,000
Referee: Keith Lawrence (New Zealand)

1991-10-09
Ireland 32–16 Japan
Tries: Mannion (2), O’Hara, Staples
Con: Keyes (2)
Pen: Keyes (4)
ReportTries: Hayashi, Kajihara, Yoshida
Con: Hosokawa (2)
Lansdowne Road, Dublin
Attendance: 30,000
Referee: Laikini Colati (Fiji)

1991-10-12
Scotland 24–15 Ireland
Tries: Shiel, Armstrong, S. Hastings
Con: G. Hastings (2)
Pen: G. Hastings (3)
Drop: Chalmers
ReportPen: Keyes (4)
Drop: Keyes
Murrayfield, Edinburgh
Attendance: 60,000
Referee: Fred Howard (England)

Quarter-final

20 October 1991
Ireland 18–19 Australia
Tries: Hamilton
Con: Keyes
Pen: Keyes (3)
Drop: Keyes
ReportTries: Campese (2), Lynagh
Con: Lynagh (2)
Pen: Lynagh
Lansdowne Road, Dublin
Attendance: 54,500
Referee: Jim Fleming (Scotland)

Pool C matches –

Team Pld W D L PF PA PD Pts
 New Zealand 3 3 0 0 222 45 +177 9
 Ireland 3 2 0 1 93 94 −1 7
 Wales 3 1 0 2 89 68 +21 5
 Japan 3 0 0 3 55 252 −197 3
Source: [citation needed]

1995-05-27
Ireland 19–43 New Zealand
Tries: David Corkery, Denis McBride, Gary Halpin
Con: Eric Elwood (2)
ReportTries: Jonah Lomu (2), Josh Kronfeld, Frank Bunce, Glen Osborne
Con: Andrew Mehrtens (3)
Pen: Andrew Mehrtens (4)
Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Attendance: 38 000
Referee: Wayne Erickson (Australia)

1995-05-31
Ireland 50–28 Japan
Tries: Neil Francis, Simon Geoghegan, David Corkery, Eddie Halvey, Niall Hogan
Con: Paul Burke (6)
Pen: Paul Burke
ReportTries: Sinali Latu, Ko Izawa, Seiji Hirao, Masanori Takura
Con: Yoshihito Yoshida (4)
Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
Attendance: 15 000
Referee: Stef Neethling (South Africa)

1995-06-04
Ireland 24–23 Wales
Tries: Eddie Halvey, Nick Popplewell, Denis McBride
Con: Eric Elwood (3)
Pen: Eric Elwood
ReportTries: Jonathan Humphreys, Hemi Taylor
Con: Neil Jenkins (2)
Pen: Neil Jenkins (2)
Drop: Adrian Davies
Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Attendance: 35 000
Referee: Ian Rogers (South Africa)

Quarter finals –

1995-06-10
France 36–12 Ireland
Tries: Philippe Saint-Andre, Émile Ntamack
Con: Thierry Lacroix
Pen: Thierry Lacroix (8)
ReportPen: Eric Elwood (4)
Kings Park Stadium, Durban
Attendance: 18 000
Referee: Ed Morrison (England)

Pool E matches –

Team Pld W D L PF PA PD Pts
 Australia 3 3 0 0 135 31 +104 9
 Ireland 3 2 0 1 100 45 +55 7
 Romania 3 1 0 2 50 126 −76 5
 United States 3 0 0 3 52 135 −83 3
Source: [citation needed]
1999-10-02
Ireland 53–8 United States
Tries: Keith Wood (4), Brian O'Driscoll, Justin Bishop, Penalty try
Con: David Humphreys (4)
Eric Elwood (2)
Pen: David Humphreys (2)
ReportTries: Kevin Dalzell
Pen: Kevin Dalzell
Lansdowne Road, Dublin
Attendance: 30,000
Referee: Joel Dume (France)

1999-10-10
Ireland 3–23 Australia
Pen: David HumphreysReportTries: Ben Tune, Tim Horan
Con: Matt Burke (2)
Pen: Matt Burke (2), John Eales
Lansdowne Road, Dublin
Attendance: 49,250
Referee: Clayton Thomas (Wales)

1999-10-15
Ireland 44–14 Romania
Tries: Conor O'Shea (2), Andrew Ward, Thomas Tierney, Dion O'Cuinneagain
Con: Eric Elwood (5)
Pen: Eric Elwood (2)
Drop goals: Brian O'Driscoll
ReportTries: Cristian Săuan
Pen: Petre Mitu (3)
Lansdowne Road, Dublin
Attendance: 33,000
Referee: Brain Campsell (England)

Quarter-final play off

1999-10-20
Ireland 24–28 Argentina
Pen: David Humphreys (7)
Drop: David Humphreys
ReportTries: Diego Albanese
Con: Gonzalo Quesada
Pen: Gonzalo Quesada (7)
Stade Félix Bollaert, Lens
Attendance: 22,000
Referee: Stuart Dickinson (Australia)

Group A matches –

Team Pld W D L PF PA PD BP Pts Qualification
 Australia 4 4 0 0 273 32 +241 2 18 Quarter-finals
 Ireland 4 3 0 1 141 56 +85 3 15
 Argentina 4 2 0 2 140 57 +83 3 11
 Romania 4 1 0 3 65 192 −127 1 5
 Namibia 4 0 0 4 28 310 −282 0 0
Source: [citation needed]
2003-10-11
Ireland 45–17 Romania
Tries: S. Horgan, Wood, Hickie (2), Costello
Con: Humphreys (3), O'Gara
Pen: Humphreys (4)
ReportTries: Penalty try, Maftei
Con: Tofan, Vioreanu
Pen: Tofan
Bluetongue Central Coast Stadium, Gosford
Attendance: 19,123
Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa)

2003-10-19
Ireland 64–7 Namibia
Tries: Quinlan (2), Dempsey, Hickie, Horan, Miller (2), G. Easterby, S. Horgan, Kelly
Con: O'Gara (7)
ReportTries: Powell
Con: Wessels
Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney
Attendance: 35,382
Referee: Andrew Cole (Australia)

2003-10-26
Argentina 15–16 Ireland
Pen: Quesada (3)
Drop: Quesada, Corleto
ReportTries: Quinlan
Con: Humphreys
Pen: Humphreys, O'Gara (2)
Adelaide Oval
Attendance: 30,203
Referee: André Watson (South Africa)

2003-11-01
Australia 17–16 Ireland
Tries: Smith
Pen: Flatley (3)
Drop: Gregan
ReportTries: O'Driscoll
Con: O'Gara
Pen: O'Gara (2)
Drop: O'Driscoll
Telstra Dome, Melbourne
Attendance: 54,206
Referee: Paddy O'Brien (New Zealand)

Quarter-finals

2003-11-09
France 43–21 Ireland
Tries: Magne 3' c
Dominici 29' c
Harinordoquy 33' c
Crenca 47' c
Con: Michalak (4)
Pen: Michalak (5)
ReportTries: Maggs 52' c
O'Driscoll (6) 65' c, 80+2' c
Con: Humphreys (3)
Telstra Dome, Melbourne
Attendance: 37,134
Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa)
Pos Team Pld W D L PF PA PD B Pts Qualification
1  Argentina 4 4 0 0 143 33 +110 2 18 Qualified for the quarter-finals
2  France 4 3 0 1 188 37 +151 3 15
3  Ireland 4 2 0 2 64 82 −18 1 9 Eliminated, automatic qualification for RWC 2011
4  Georgia 4 1 0 3 50 111 −61 1 5
5  Namibia 4 0 0 4 30 212 −182 0 0
Source: [citation needed]
9 September 2007
20:00
Ireland 32–17 Namibia
Tries: O'Driscoll 5' c
Trimble 19' m
Easterby 30' m
Penalty try 49' c
Flannery 76' m
Con: O'Gara (2/5)
Pen: O'Gara (1/1) 17'
ReportTries: Nieuwenhuis 60' c
Van Zyl 64' c
Con: Wessels (2/2)
Pen: Wessels (1/2) 40+'
Stade Chaban-Delmas, Bordeaux
Attendance: 33,694
Referee: Joël Jutge (France)
15 September 2007
21:00
Ireland 14–10 Georgia
Tries: R. Best 17' c
Dempsey 55' c
Con: O'Gara (2/2)
ReportTry: Shkinin 45' c
Con: Kvirikashvili (1/1)
Pen: Kvirikashvili (1/2) 37'
Stade Chaban-Delmas, Bordeaux
Attendance: 33,807
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)
21 September 2007
21:00
France 25–3 Ireland
Tries: Clerc (2) 59' m, 69' m
Pen: Élissalde (5/6) 7', 18', 22', 40+', 55'
ReportDrop: O'Gara (1/1) 37'
Stade de France, Saint-Denis
Attendance: 80,267
Referee: Chris White (England)
30 September 2007
17:00
Ireland 15–30 Argentina
Tries: O'Driscoll 32' c
Murphy 47' m
Con: O'Gara (1/2)
Pen: O'Gara (1/1) 20'
ReportTries: Borges 17' m
Agulla 39' c
Con: F. Contepomi (1/2)
Pen: F. Contepomi (3/4) 43', 62', 66'
Drop: Hernández (3/5) 21', 36', 79'
Parc des Princes, Paris
Attendance: 45,450
Referee: Paul Honiss (New Zealand)

Ireland qualified for the 2011 RWC automatically.

Pos Team Pld W D L PF PA PD T B Pts Qualification
1  Ireland 4 4 0 0 135 34 +101 15 1 17 Advanced to the quarter-finals and
qualified for the 2015 Rugby World Cup
2  Australia 4 3 0 1 173 48 +125 25 3 15
3  Italy 4 2 0 2 92 95 −3 13 2 10 Eliminated but qualified for 2015 Rugby World Cup
4  United States 4 1 0 3 38 122 −84 4 0 4
5  Russia 4 0 0 4 57 196 −139 8 1 1
Source: [citation needed]

11 September 2011
18:00
Ireland 22 – 10 United States
Try: Bowe (2) 40' c, 60' c
Best 56' m
Con: Sexton (1/1)
O'Gara (1/2)
Pen: Sexton (1/5) 17'
ReportTry: Emerick 80+' c
Con: Malifa (1/1)
Pen: Paterson (1/2) 54'
Stadium Taranaki, New Plymouth
Attendance: 20,823
Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)

17 September 2011
20:30
Australia 6 – 15 Ireland
Pen: O'Connor (2/4) 11', 23'ReportPen: Sexton (2/5) 17', 49'
O'Gara (2/2) 62', 71'
Drop: Sexton 19'
Eden Park, Auckland
Attendance: 58,678
Referee: Bryce Lawrence (New Zealand)

25 September 2011
18:00
Ireland 62 – 12 Russia
Try: McFadden 10' c
O'Brien 13' c
Boss 38' c
Earls(2) 39' c, 48' c
Trimble 40+' m
Kearney 65' c
Jennings 73' c
Buckley 79' m
Con: O'Gara (6/7)
Sexton (1/2)
Pen: O'Gara (1/1) 6'
ReportTry: Artemyev 50' c
Simplikevich 59' m
Con: Rachkov (1/2)
Rotorua International Stadium, Rotorua
Attendance: 25,661
Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)

2 October 2011
20:30
Ireland 36 – 6 Italy
Try: O'Driscoll 47' c
Earls (2) 52' c, 80+' c
Con: O'Gara (2/2)
Sexton (1/1)
Pen: O'Gara (4/5) 7', 18', 35', 44'
Sexton (1/1) 70'
ReportPen: Mi. Bergamasco (2/3) 11', 21'
Otago Stadium, Dunedin
Attendance: 28,027
Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa)

Quarter-finals

8 October 2011
18:00 NZDT (UTC+13)
Ireland 10 – 22 Wales
Try: Earls 45' c
Con: O'Gara (1/1)
Pen: O'Gara (1/1) 24'
ReportTry: Williams 3' c
Phillips 51' m
J. Davies 64' c
Con: Priestland (2/3)
Pen: Halfpenny (1/1) 29'
Priestland (0/2)
Westpac Stadium, Wellington
Attendance: 35,787
Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)

2015 Rugby World Cup

[edit]
Pos Team Pld W D L PF PA PD T B Pts Qualification
1  Ireland 4 4 0 0 134 35 +99 16 2 18 Advanced to the quarter-finals and
qualified for the 2019 Rugby World Cup
2  France 4 3 0 1 120 63 +57 12 2 14
3  Italy 4 2 0 2 74 88 −14 7 2 10 Eliminated but qualified for 2019 Rugby World Cup
4  Romania 4 1 0 3 60 129 −69 7 0 4
5  Canada 4 0 0 4 58 131 −73 7 2 2
Source: [citation needed]
19 September 2015 Ireland  50–7  Canada Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
27 September 2015 Ireland  44–10  Romania Wembley Stadium, London
4 October 2015 Ireland  16–9  Italy Olympic Stadium, London
11 October 2015 France  9–24  Ireland Millennium Stadium, Cardiff

Quarter-finals

18 October 2015
13:00 BST (UTC+01)
Ireland 20–43 Argentina
Try: Fitzgerald 26' c
Murphy 44' c
Con: Madigan (2/2) 27', 45'
Pen: Madigan (2/4) 20', 53'
ReportTry: Moroni 3' c
Imhoff (2) 10' c, 73' c
Tuculet 69' c
Con: Sánchez (4/4) 5', 10', 70', 74'
Pen: Sánchez (5/6) 13', 22', 51', 64', 77'
Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Attendance: 72,316
Referee: Jérôme Garcès (France)

2019 Rugby World Cup

[edit]
Pool stage
Pos Team Pld W D L PF PA PD T B Pts Qualification
1  Japan 4 4 0 0 115 62 +53 13 3 19 Advanced to the quarter-finals and
qualified for the 2023 Rugby World Cup
2  Ireland 4 3 0 1 121 27 +94 18 4 16
3  Scotland 4 2 0 2 119 55 +64 16 3 11 Eliminated but qualified for 2023 Rugby World Cup
4  Samoa 4 1 0 3 58 128 −70 8 1 5
5  Russia 4 0 0 4 19 160 −141 1 0 0
Source: [citation needed]
22 September 2019
16:45 JST (UTC+09)
(1 BP) Ireland 27–3 Scotland
Try: Ja. Ryan 6' c
Best 14' m
Furlong 25' c
Conway 56' m
Con: Sexton (1/2) 8'
Murray (1/2) 27'
Pen: Carty (1/1) 68'
ReportPen: Laidlaw (1/1) 21'
International Stadium Yokohama, Yokohama
Attendance: 63,731
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)

28 September 2019
16:15 JST (UTC+09)
Japan 19–12 Ireland (1 BP)
Try: Fukuoka 58' c
Con: Tamura (1/1) 60'
Pen: Tamura (4/6) 17', 33', 39', 71'
ReportTry: Ringrose 13' m
Kearney 20' c
Con: Carty (1/2) 21'
Shizuoka Stadium Ecopa, Fukuroi
Attendance: 47,813
Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)

3 October 2019
19:15 JST (UTC+09)
(1 BP) Ireland 35–0 Russia
Try: Kearney 1' c
O'Mahony 12' c
Ruddock 34' c
Conway 61' c
Ringrose 75' c
Con: Sexton (3/3) 3', 14', 36'
Carty (2/2) 62', 76'
Report
Kobe Misaki Stadium, Kobe
Attendance: 26,856
Referee: Jérôme Garcès (France)

12 October 2019
19:45 JST (UTC+09)
(1 BP) Ireland 47–5 Samoa
Try: Best 4' c
Furlong 10' c
Sexton (2) 21' c, 39' m
Larmour 48' c
Stander 65' c
Conway 70' c
Con: Sexton (4/5) 5', 11', 23', 50
Carbery (2/2) 67', 72'
ReportTry: J. Lam 26' m
Fukuoka Hakatanomori Stadium, Fukuoka
Attendance: 17,967
Referee: Nic Berry (Australia)

Quarter-finals
19 October 2019
19:15 JST (UTC+09)
New Zealand 46–14 Ireland
Try: A. Smith (2) 14' c, 20' c
B. Barrett 32'
Taylor 48' c
Todd 61'
Bridge 73' c
J. Barrett 79'
Con: Mo'unga (4/7) 15', 22', 49', 74'
Pen: Mo'unga (1/1) 6'
ReportTry: Henshaw 69'
Penalty try 76'
Con: Carbery (1/1) 69'
Tokyo Stadium, Chōfu
Attendance: 46,686
Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)

2023 Rugby World Cup

[edit]
Pool stage
Pos Team Pld W D L PF PA PD TF TA B Pts Qualification
1  Ireland 4 4 0 0 190 46 +144 27 5 3 19 Advance to knockout stage, and
qualification to the 2027 Rugby World Cup
2  South Africa 4 3 0 1 151 34 +117 22 4 3 15
3  Scotland 4 2 0 2 146 71 +75 21 10 2 10 Qualification to the 2027 Rugby World Cup
4  Tonga 4 1 0 3 96 177 −81 13 25 1 5
5  Romania 4 0 0 4 32 287 −255 4 43 0 0
Source: World Rugby
Rules for classification: Pool stage tiebreakers
9 September 2023
15:30 CEST (UTC+2)
(1 BP) Ireland 82–8 Romania
Try: Gibson-Park 5' c
Keenan 13' c
Beirne (2) 17' m, 80+3' c
Aki (2) 34' c, 75' c
Sexton (2) 40' c, 62' c
Herring 45' c
O'Mahony (2) 50' c, 70' c
McCarthy 67' c
Con: Sexton (7/8) 6', 13', 36', 40', 46', 51', 63'
Crowley (4/4) 68', 72', 76', 80+3'
ReportTry: Rupanu 3' m
Pen: Rupanu (1/1) 21'
Stade de Bordeaux, Bordeaux
Attendance: 41,170
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia)[28]

16 September 2023
9:00 CEST (UTC+2)
(1 BP)  Ireland59–16Tonga 
Try: Beirne 21' c
Doris 27' c
Hansen 33' c
Sexton 38' c
Lowe 59' c
Aki 64' c, 69' c
Herring 80' c
Con: Sexton 22' , 28' , 34' , 39' ,
Byrne 60' , 65' , 69' , 80+1'
Pen: Sexton 7'
ReportTry: Fifita 44' c
Con: Havili 44'
Pen: Havili 16' , 24' , 43'
Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)

23 September 2023
9:00 CEST (UTC+2)
 South Africa8–13 Ireland
Try: Kolbe 51'
Pen: Libbok 6'
ReportTry: Hansen 33'
Con: Sexton 35'
Pen: Sexton 59'
Crowley 77'
Stade de France, Paris
Attendance: 78,750
Referee: Ben O'Keeffe (New Zealand)

7 October 2023
9:00 CEST (UTC+2)
 Ireland36–14 Scotland
Try: Lowe2'
Keenan 26' , 39'
Henderson 32'
Sheehan 44'
Ringrose 58'
Con: Sexton 27' , 33' , 40'
ReportTry: Ashman 64'
Price 65'
Con: Russell 65' , 66'
Stade de France, Paris
Referee: Nic Berry (Australia)
Quarter-finals
14 October 2023
21:00 CEST (UTC+2)
Ireland 24–28 New Zealand
Try: Aki 27' c
Gibson-Park 39' c
Penalty try 64'
Con: Sexton (2/2) 29', 40'
Pen: Sexton (1/2) 22'
ReportTry: Fainga'anuku 19' c
Savea 33' m
Jordan 53' c
Con: Mo'unga (1/2) 21'
J. Barrett (1/1) 54'
Pen: Mo'unga (1/1) 8'
J. Barrett (2/3) 14', 69'
Stade de France, Saint-Denis
Attendance: 78,845
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)[29]

Overall record

[edit]
Against Played Win Draw Lost Win %
 Argentina 4 1 0 3 25
 Australia 5 1 0 4 20
 Canada 2 2 0 0 100
 France 4 1 0 3 25
 Georgia 1 1 0 0 100
 Italy 2 2 0 0 100
 Japan 3 2 0 1 66.67
 Namibia 2 2 0 0 100
 New Zealand 3 0 0 3 0
 Romania 4 4 0 0 100
 Russia 2 2 0 0 100
 Samoa 1 1 0 0 100
 Scotland 3 2 0 1 66.67
 South Africa 1 1 0 0 100
 Tonga 2 2 0 0 100
 United States 2 2 0 0 100
 Wales 3 1 0 2 33.33
 Zimbabwe 1 1 0 0 100
Overall 45 28 0 17 62.22

Hosting

[edit]

The Rugby World Cup is held every four years, and tends to alternate between the northern and southern hemispheres. Most northern hemisphere tournaments so far has been held in Europe, with the exclusion of the Japan World Cup in 2019 and in general Ireland usually hosts some games when it is held in Europe.

1991: UK/Ireland/France

[edit]
Irish stadiums in 1991 World Cup
City Stadium Capacity
Republic of Ireland Dublin Lansdowne Road 49,000
Northern Ireland Belfast Ravenhill 12,300

The 1991 Rugby World Cup final was played in England, while pool and finals games were played all over European nations. Pool A, which England was in, saw matches played mostly in London, though games were also taken to Leicester, Gloucester and Otley. Pool B games, which involved European nations, Scotland and Ireland, had all their games in either Dublin or Edinburgh with one game being played in Belfast. Pool C, which Wales was a part of, had all their games in Cardiff, with one taken to Pontypridd, one played in Pontypool and one played in Llanelli. Pool D, which France were a part of, saw games played in Agen, Bayonne, Béziers and Grenoble. None of the quarter-finals or semi-finals were played in England. The final was played at the Rugby Football Union's Twickenham.

1999: Wales

[edit]
Irish stadiums in 1999 World Cup
City Stadium Capacity
Republic of Ireland Dublin Lansdowne Road 49,250
Republic of Ireland Limerick Thomond Park 13,500
Northern Ireland Belfast Ravenhill Stadium 12,500

The 1999 World Cup was hosted by Wales, but an agreement was reached so that the other unions in the Five Nations Championship (England, France, Ireland and Scotland) also hosted matches.

The format of the pool games was similar to the 1991 World Cup in England. All Pool A games were held in Scotland, Pool B games in England, Pool C games in France and Pool D games were all held in Wales. Second round play-offs and the quarter-finals were held a variety of European venues, the semi-finals were held at Twickenham Stadium, London. The third place play-off and the final were held at the new Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

Venues in Ireland included Lansdowne Road, the traditional home of the Irish Rugby Football Union, Ravenhill, the Northern Ireland IRFU owned venue and Thomond Park.

2007: France

[edit]

The 2007 competition was held in France, with some games played in Wales and Scotland. France won the right in 2003 to host the 2007 tournament. Three matches were played at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium. Two matches were held at Edinburgh's Murrayfield. Ireland were also offered to host matches at Lansdowne Road in Dublin, but had to decline the offer as construction work was scheduled to begin on the stadium.[30]

2023: Bid

[edit]

Ireland bid to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup, losing out to eventual hosts, France.

References

[edit]
  • Davies, Gerald (2004) The History of the Rugby World Cup (Sanctuary Publishing Ltd, (ISBN 1860746020)
  • Farr-Jones, Nick, (2003). Story of the Rugby World Cup, Australian Post Corporation, (ISBN 0-642-36811-2)
  1. ^ "'It might have been a World Cup quarter-final but we were prepared to go on strike'". The 42. 17 October 2021. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
  2. ^ "Ireland 32–17 Namibia". BBC Sport. 9 September 2007. Retrieved 23 March 2009.
  3. ^ "Ireland 14–10 Georgia". BBC Sport. 15 September 2007. Retrieved 23 March 2009.
  4. ^ "France 25–3 Ireland". BBC Sport. 21 September 2007. Retrieved 23 March 2009.
  5. ^ "Argentina 30–15 Ireland". BBC Sport. 30 September 2007. Retrieved 23 March 2009.
  6. ^ "Rugby World Cup 2015: Ireland 16-9 Italy". RugbyWorldCup.com Sport. 4 October 2015. Retrieved 4 October 2015.
  7. ^ "Rugby World Cup 2015: Ireland 24–9 France". BBC Sport. 11 October 2015. Retrieved 11 October 2015.
  8. ^ "Injury ends Paul O'Connell's Ireland career". RTÉ Sport. 13 October 2015. Retrieved 13 October 2015.
  9. ^ "Joe Schmidt's side win Rugby World Cup opener". BBC Sport. 22 September 2019. Retrieved 23 October 2019.
  10. ^ "Japan stun Ireland to pull off another famous Rugby World Cup upset". The Guardian. 28 September 2019. Retrieved 23 October 2019.
  11. ^ "Ireland get World Cup campaign back on track with hard-fought Russia rout". The Guardian. 3 October 2019. Retrieved 23 October 2019.
  12. ^ "Ireland thrash Samoa to ease into last eight despite Bundee Aki red card". The Guardian. 12 October 2019. Retrieved 23 October 2019.
  13. ^ "New Zealand thrash Ireland to set up World Cup semi-final with England". The Guardian. 19 October 2019. Retrieved 23 October 2019.
  14. ^ "New Zealand 46-14 Ireland: 'We gave All Blacks a leg up' says Irish coach Schmidt". BBC Sport. 19 October 2019. Retrieved 23 October 2019.
  15. ^ "Joe Schmidt 'blown away' by offers to continue coaching". The 42. 22 October 2019. Retrieved 23 October 2019.
  16. ^ "Ireland 82-8 Romania: Johnny Sexton stars on return as Irish romp to victory in Rugby World Cup opener". Sky Sports. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
  17. ^ "Johnny Sexton becomes Ireland's record points scorer in victory against Tonga". Guardian. 16 September 2023. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
  18. ^ "Sexton steers Ireland to victory as South Africa pay penalty for poor kicking". Guardian. 23 September 2023. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
  19. ^ "Hugo Keenan's double helps Ireland march on and knock out Scotland". Guardian. 7 October 2023. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
  20. ^ "New Zealand hold off Ireland in titanic battle to reach World Cup semi-finals". Guardian. 14 October 2023. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
  21. ^ "Ireland's RWC dreams ended by clinical New Zealand". RTE Sport. 14 October 2023. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
  22. ^ Ireland vs Wales 1987 World Rugby
  23. ^ Ireland vs Wales 1987 ESPN Scrum
  24. ^ Canada vs Ireland 1987 ESPN Scrum
  25. ^ Canada vs Ireland 1987 World Rugby
  26. ^ Ireland vs Tonga 1987 ESPN Scrum
  27. ^ Ireland vs Tonga 1987 World Rugby
  28. ^ "Rugby World Cup 2023 pool stage". World Rugby. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
  29. ^ "Emirates Match Official appointments confirmed for RWC". world.rugby. World Rugby. 10 October 2023. Retrieved 10 October 2023.
  30. ^ "Lansdowne Road to miss World Cup". RTE.ie. 3 September 2004. Retrieved 15 May 2018.