Rugby World Cup Odds: What Are The Odds On England Winning The Rugby World Cup?
They enjoyed an emphatic triumph over Argentina at Stade Velodrome in Marseille last Saturday evening and with some eminently winnable games on the horizon, the best betting sites are re-evaluating England’s chances of winning the Rugby World Cup (RWC) in France.
2023 is a significant year for rugby union in England as it is the 20th anniversary of England winning the RWC for the first and only time to date.
Under the watch of Clive Woodward, the Martin Johnson-led side went into the 2003 edition of the tournament as Six Nations Grand Slam champions and were therefore one of the more fancied teams on display in Australia.
Finalists back in 1991 when they were co-hosts along with the remaining participants of what was still known as the Five Nations Championship, England lost out on a scoreline of 12-6 to a Michael Lynagh-inspired Australia.
It was the Wallabies who once again provided the opposition in the World Cup showpiece 12 years later and it proved to be a tension-filled affair.
Ford Evokes Spirit Of Wilkinson In Argentinian Victory
The host nation were coached at the time by Tasmania native Eddie Jones, who would later go on to lead England into a Webb Ellis decider in 2019.
In the end, it was an extra-time drop-goal by Jonny Wilkinson that edged England over the line with three points to spare (20-17) in 2003.
The boot of Wilkinson had also been pivotal in ensuring that the English reached this far in the tournament to begin with as he contributed five penalties and three drop-goals in their 24-7 victory against France at the semi-final stage in Sydney.
At the World Cup four years later – where they once again reached the final of the tournament -Oldham’s Mike Ford served as the English defence coach.
His son George was entrusted with fly-half duties in the absence of the suspended Owen Farrell for their opening tournament encounter against Argentina and he channelled his inner Jonny Wilkinson to give England a badly-needed 27-10 win.
In addition to six penalties, the Sale Sharks star also dissected the posts for three drop-goals – all of them coming in the first half of the action.
While an Argentinian side that is coached by former Leinster and Australia coach Michael Cheika dramatically underperformed, there was a grit and determination about the English display that has helped to lift the morale both inside and outside of the squad.
Last Weekend’s Win A Big Moment For Head Coach Borthwick
Steve Borthwick was drafted in as England head coach as a replacement for the aforementioned Jones at the end of 2022 – Jones has now returned to his former post with the Wallabies.
Borthwick endured a difficult lead-up to the World Cup with an average Six Nations campaign being followed up by some ropey warm-up test showings.
The presence of the top-four ranked teams in the global rankings on the opposite side of the draw (Ireland, South Africa, France and New Zealand) meant that there was always a chance that England could enjoy a productive tournament under Borthwick, but it wasn’t until Saturday’s win that people started to believe they were capable of stepping up to the plate.
England Have Risen In Betting For World Cup Winners
Now that the Pumas have been defeated, England can now look towards games against Japan, Chile and Samoa with renewed optimism.
World Rugby’s top-four remain the leaders in the Rugby World Cup odds in the eyes of UK bookmakers, but England have now moved to the front of the chasing pack.
Previously behind Australia, Borthwick’s charges have now leapfrogged the Aussies to become the fifth favourites for World Cup glory.
Before their clash with Argentina, the odds on England winning the World Cup were 12/1.
Fast forward a week and William Hill are offering 10/1 on them securing the Webb Ellis Cup for the second time in their history.
There was an added bonus that came with England’s win as well, as they rose from eighth to sixth in World Rugby’s official rankings.
Having been in their joint-lowest position from an historical perspective prior to the commencement of the tournament, this is something that the RFU will be relieved about.
Japanese Test Gives England An Opportunity To Rise To The Summit Of Pool
Due to the fact that their win over Chile was a bonus point one, Japan hold a slender advantage over England in the Pool D standings at the moment.
However, that could well change this Sunday when the two sides meet at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard in Saint-Etienne.
As a nation that have pulled off big victories against South Africa, Ireland and Scotland across their last two appearances in World Cup finals, Japan are not a side to be taken lightly.
Chile might be tournament debutants, but the Brave Blossoms did what they needed to do and will be prepared to leave it all out on the pitch against England.
Still, the 2003 champions are 1/20 favourites with the best betting sites for rugby unionto beat their Asian counterparts this weekend and must now feel there is a great opportunity to finish at the summit of Pool D.
The winners from this particular group will play the runners-up from a Pool C that features Australia, Wales, Fiji, Georgia and Portugal.
Should they enjoy an unbeaten march through their pool, England will believe that a last-four spot is well within their grasp at this year’s tournament.
There is still a lot of rugby to be played before then though, and Borthwick will be making his players aware of the danger that comes with taking their eye off the ball.