Titanic clashes, lopsided groups and future changes – 5 World Cup talking points

The World Cup in France has had plenty of thrills and spills.

Published Oct 29, 2023

The 10th edition of the World Cup was also its longest, producing highs and lows across its eight weeks.

Here the PA news agency examines five talking points arising from the tournament hosted by France.

Box office rugby

At its best, France 2023 has produced some of the greatest rugby ever played. The quarter-finals were the most captivating in the competition’s history with Ireland’s match against New Zealand and France’s clash with South Africa thunderous collisions that lifted the game to a new level. At the other end of the spectrum, Portugal flew the flag for emerging nations after producing a breakthrough World Cup the like of which has not been seen before, culminating in a seismic upset of Fiji.

The injustice of the draw

Break the World Cup cycle

England v South Africa – Rugby World Cup 2023 – Semi Final – Stade De France — England put a poor build-up behind them to reach the World Cup semi-finals (David Davies/PA)

Level the playing field

England v Samoa – Rugby World Cup 2023 – Pool D – Stade Pierre Mauroy — Samoa came close to claiming England’s scalp at the World Cup (Gareth Fuller/PA)

Fan bonanza

France v South Africa – Rugby World Cup 2023 – Quarter Final – Stade de France — South Africa fans arrive at the stadium ahead of the quarter-final against France (Gareth Fuller/PA)