Cipriani on why RWC 2023 winner is either France or Springboks

Former England number ten Danny Cipriani has chatted on the official Rugby World Cup podcast to share his thoughts on a number of topics, namely the most important of all - who will win come the final on October 28th?

Discussing the latest news and developments in the tournament, Cipriani was chatting with former Ireland flanker Stephen Ferris and former New Zealand World Cup winner, Sean Fitzpatrick.

Fitzpatrick, who won the inaugural tournament in 1987 then missed out in 1995 to South Africa, feels that New Zealand need their "big boys" to step up.

"We need [Brodie] Retallick, we need [Shannon] Frizell, we need those guys fit and we can't afford to have red and yellow cards. In 2015 we probably had the most complete squad when any one of those players could have stepped in and played in that final and we would have won. Now we need our big boys. France are a big team, Ireland are a big team, South Africa are massive."

While most fans will be keeping an eye on the former champion All Blacks, perhaps the biggest clash coming up in the next round is going to be when number one ranked side Ireland faces number two ranked, and defending champions, South Africa.

"I just fancy Ireland," said former Ulster and Ireland flanker Ferris.

"The way they are playing, they have a healthy enough squad, they have Dan Sheehan to bring back in, Jack Conan might be fit. Bundee Aki is playing out of his skin, Malcolm Marx is obviously a huge loss to South Africa. The bomb squad, they haven't replaced him with a hooker. I just have a good feeling about Ireland."

On the topic of who will win the entire tournament, Ferris feels strongly that his countrymen can do the job, despite having never got past the quarter finals.

"I have to go with Ireland. I know we haven't been beyond a quarter-final and I think for a lot of Irish fans success would be getting to a semi-final because of the heartache since forever."

Cipriani feels that size will count.

"Between France and South Africa. Obviously I think Ireland are great but I think that when it comes down to it, Ireland have the best system and shapes. If I'm brutally honest I don't think they have the best decision makers in the world," said the former playmaker.

"If the final is Ireland-South Africa, a lot of those pressure moment won't feel like pressure to those South African boys while for Ireland it will."

Fitzpatrick was more on the fence, but feels the winner may yet be determined early in the knockout stages.

"I think whoever wins the quarter-finals on our side of the draw will playing the final, so it is either going to be South Africa, France, New Zealand or Ireland. I think France will play South Africa and I think they can beat South Africa because they are big enough to compete.

"We [New Zealand] will play Ireland and the All Blacks will beat Ireland. Purely because I think we have learnt enough and as long as we have our big guys available, I don't think Ireland will want to play the All Blacks."

Cipriani also took a moment to praise Springbok captain Siya Kolisi, who recently went somewhat viral for a moment that occurred in a press conference, when he defended his team's goal kicker, Manie Libbok.

"That is a different level of leadership, that is his life experience coming to the forefront in a moment where he has faced so many adversities and he like let's have some perspective in this moment. I think with Rassie [Erasmus] and the coaches they allow the systems and the framework to take it forward.

"South Africa's leadership group, they are extremely challenging. They are all individuals and they are allowed to be themselves and you see that within the best teams."

Listen to the full episode of The Rugby World Cup 2023 Podcast presented by Asahi Super Dry here.