France is now the undisputed betting favorite to win the upcoming 2023 World Cup, and there are three main reasons why I believe they have the chance to win the William Webb Ellis trophy for the first time in their history.
After completing the Grand Slam in the 2022 Six Nations, France is now the red hot favorites to win the 2023 Rugby World Cup, which is also being held on home soil.
The gauntlet was thrown down to the French side ahead of the 2022 Six Nations. All their critics along with the rugby fraternity were suggesting that if they are serious about winning next year’s world cup, they needed to win the Six Nations.
Well, I think it’s more than fair to say that the French passed the test with flying colors. Not only did they win the 2022 Six Nations, but they also won it in style.
France completed the grand slam, which to anybody outside of rugby, means to win the Six Nations with a 100% win record. It’s generally only done by the special sides, and with the world cup just 18 months away, it could hardly have come at a better time.
All of this has seen France become the betting favorites in the latest 2023 Rugby World Cup odds.
But this just hasn’t happened on the back of one win over England last Saturday. France has been building for some time, and the convincing 25-13 win over England was the culmination of a lot of hard work.
The hard work is far from over though, and there are still another 18 months to go until the world cup. But the Six Nations victory is another solid reason why the French now has to be taken seriously as potential world cup winners.
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Latest 2023 Rugby World Cup Winner Betting
Fabien Galthie’s team swept all aside in the Six Nations, and Sports Interaction now makes them 3.10 favorites to win the rugby world cup.
The revised betting odds now see New Zealand as 3.38 second favorites, with 2019 beaten finalists England at 6.04, and the defending champions South Africa at 6.52.
| 2023 Rugby Union World Cup; Winner Odds |  |  |
|---|---|---|
| France | 3.10 | 3.00 |
| New Zealand | 3.38 | 3.25 |
| England | 6.04 | 5.50 |
| South Africa | 6.52 | 6.50 |
| Ireland | 9.60 | 8.00 |
| Australia | 11.45 | 9.00 |
| Wales | 21.58 | 21.00 |
| Argentina | 37.31 | 33.00 |
| Scotland | 39.58 | 33.00 |
| Japan | 145.00 | 101.00 |
Fans of Ireland, who were runners-up in the Six Nations, may like the look of the 9.60 on offer. While Australia, a side who aren’t as strong as they have been, but still have the beating of anyone on their day, are a rather large looking 11.45.
- Competition; 2023 Rugby World Cup
- When; Friday, September 8th, 2023 – Saturday, October 28th, 2023
- Location; France
The odds on France could shorten yet. Another Rugby Championship is coming up this year, more autumn internationals, and also a 2023 Six Nations.
If the southern hemisphere nations struggle in their autumn internationals and France dominates the Six Nations again next year, their odds could shorten further yet.
So if you want to secure the 3.10 available now, with just under 18 months to go, then may I suggest using one of the excellent betting bonuses available on our Sportsbooks Reviews page.
If the sportsbook allows you to place a bonus on a market 18 months away, it’s better to have that money sitting on your bet, than your own cash.
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Reasons Why France Can Win the 2023 World Cup
Now onto the three reasons, I believe France can win the 2023 World Cup. And these reasons are on top of having a home advantage and having Shaun Edwards on the coaching staff.
France has the World’s Best Player – Antoine Dupont
Dupont was named the world’s best player by Rugby World in 2021. But besides getting accolades and awards, Dupont is widely regarded as the premier player in world rugby by just about any seasoned observer.
Great world cup winning teams of the past have had the elite players playing for them. Martin Johnson and Jonny Wilkinson back in 2003, Richie McCaw and Dan Carter for New Zealand, and so on.
Guys of that stature expect to win competitions, rather than hope they will win. With Dupont in the team, France will have the self-belief to lift the trophy.
Thrashing New Zealand
In November 2021 in Paris, this France team destroyed New Zealand at the Stade de France. The 40 points to 25 win were France’s first win over the All Blacks since 2009. The win ended a losing streak of 14 matches, which also included the 2011 Rugby World Cup final.
The win was also a let-off for the All Blacks. It should have been far worse than the 15 points defeat it ended up being.
Winning the 2022 Grand Slam
It wasn’t just winning the grand slam, it was the way that France won it. France won in all kinds of different ways. They won with grace and style against England. They won an ugly, scrappy match against Wales, and they were arguably a bit lucky in the win over Ireland.
All of this is character building, and what it does is show that France can win any sort of match. Even when they are not at their best, or when the opposition comes back at them strongly.
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These are all the sort of matches France will need to win in 2023. And they have shown they can cope with all of that now, and that further underlines their tag of 2023 World Cup betting favorite.
