The RWC 2023 is taking shape as Pool D is the first of the four pools to have released their squads for the competition. This year’s World cup features four pools A,B,C and D. With less than 25 days until the Rugby World cup in France teams have selected their best squads to represent their countries in the grandest stage of the 15s rugby. Teams are gearing up to have the coveted chance of lifting the Webb Ellis trophy. The 2023 Rugby World Cup Pool D group is highlighted by both England and Argentina, who are both ranked in the top 10 (source: World Rugby).
Overview of pool D
Pool D features very strong teams. It consists of the finalists of the RWC 2019 England, the host of the RWC 2019 Japan, Argentina, Samoa and Chile. The pool will be highly competitive with a lot of surprises expected.
How the teams will line-up
This is how the teams will line up in the RWC 2023 pool D in France.
Argentina (Ranked Seventh)
The Los Pumas who have competed in all rugby world cup since its inception will look forward to lift the title for the first time. Additionally they will be hoping to reach the final but first have to tackle the fierce competition in pool D.
Michael Chieka named his 33 man squad. The squad is balanced and has no major omission and they average 1000 caps.
Forwards
Joel Sclavi, Thomas Gallo, Eduardo Bello, Julián Montoya (captain), Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, Francisco Gómez Kodela, Agustín Creevy, Ignacio Ruiz, Matías Alemanno, Tomás Lavanini, Guido Petti, Facundo Isa, Pablo Matera, Juan Martín González, Santiago Grondona, Marcos Kremer, Rodrigo Bruni, Pedro Rubiolo.
Backs
Gonzalo Bertranou, Tomás Cubelli, Lautaro Bazán Vélez, Santiago Carreras, Nicolás Sánchez, Santiago Chocobares, Lucio Cinti, Jerónimo de la Fuente, Matías Moroni, Emiliano Boffelli, Mateo Carreras, Rodrigo Isgró, Juan Cruz Mallía, Martín Bogado, Juan Imhoff.
England (Ranked Sixth)
The finalists of the RWC 2019 highlight pool D will be keen to replicate their perfect outing in the previous competition.
Steve Borthwicks settled for his 33 man squad who averaged a total of 1400 caps for the RWC 2023. The squad consists of 17 players who featured for the side in the 2019 RWC and 18 debutants giving a blend of experience and youthfulness.
READ MORE: England’s World Cup squad shows few surprises
Forwards
Ollie Chessum, Dan Cole, Tom Curry,Theo Dan,Ben Earl ,Ellis Genge, Jamie George, Maro Itoje ,Courtney Lawes ,Lewis Ludlam ,Joe Marler ,George Martin, David Ribbans ,Bevan Rodd ,Kyle Sinckler ,Will Stuart ,Billy Vunipola, Jack Walker ,Jack Willis.
Backs
Henry Arundell, Danny Care, Elliot Daly, Owen Farrell,George Ford, Ollie Lawrence,Max Malins, Joe Marchant, Marcus Smith, Freddie Steward, Manu Tuilagi ,Jack van Poortvliet, AnthonyWatson,Ben Youngs.
Samoa (Ranked 12th)
Manu Samoa have set sight to bring glory to their country and pool surprises in RWC 2023 pool D.
Seilala Mapusua settled for 32 players with one player still to be named
Forward
Michael Alaalatoa (co-captain), Paul Alo-Emile, Charlie Faumuina, Jordan Lay, Seilala Lam, Sama Malolo, Luteru Tolai, Brian Alainuuese, Theo McFarland, Sam Slade, Chris Vui (co-captain), Sootala Faasoo, Miracle Fai’ilagi, Fritz Lee, Steven Luatua, Alamanda Motuga, Taleni Seu, Sa Jordan Taufua.
Backs
Ere Enari, Melani Matavao, Jonathan Taumateine, Christian Leali’ifano, Lima Sopoaga, Alai D’Angelo Leuila, Tumua Manu, Duncan Paiaaua, Ulupano Junior Seuteni, Nigel Ah Wong, Ed Fidow, Neria Fomai, Benjamin Lam, Danny Toala.
Chile (Ranked 22nd)
The Los Condores are in rugby world cup mode and are determined to show their fellow pool D opponents why they were in the competition.
Head coach Pablo Lemonie settled on his 33 man squad for the tournament as follows;
Forwards
Javier Carrasco, Salvador Lues, Matías Dittus, Iñaki Gurruchaga, Esteban Inostroza, Augusto Bohme, Tomás Dussaillant, Diego Escobar, Javier Eissmann, Pablo Huete, Santiago Pedrero, Augusto Sarmiento, Alfonso Escobar, Raimundo Martínez, Clemente Saavedra, Martín Sigren, Ignacio Silva.
Backs
Lukas Carvallo, Marcelo Torrealba, Benjamín Videla, Rodrigo Fernández, Santiago Videla, Pablo Casas, Matías Garafulic, José Ignacio Larenas, Domingo Saavedra, Franco Velarde, Nicolás Garafulic, Iñaki Ayarza, Francisco Urroz.
Japan (Ranked 14th)
“We’re going into the World Cup to win it. As a tournament, if you can get to the quarter finals, anything can happen, so our first step is to make the top-eight and take things from there” – Jamie Joseph 💬
Read more here
✅https://t.co/cdrRZNxu4l #GoWithTheBrave | #RWC2023 pic.twitter.com/sv8fH5Rc6O— Japan Rugby (@JRFURugby) August 15, 2023
Head coach Jamie Joseph has released his 30 man squad with the 3 positions to be added later to represent the Brave Blossom in this year’s RWC 2023 in France. Japanwill be keen to perfect their outing and cause a big threat to most of its pool D opponents.
The squad comprises 15 forwards and 15 backs has 13 players who featured for the side in the previous World cup and 17 debutants.
Forwards
Keita Inagaki, Craig Millar, Sione Halasili, Koo Ji-won, Shinnosuke Kakinaga, Asaeli Ai Valu, Shota Horie, Atsushi Sakate, Kosuke Horikoshi, James Moore, Jack Cornelsen, Shota Fukui, Kazuki Himeno, Michael Leitch, Ben Gunter
Backs
Naoto Saito, Yutaka Nagare, Kenta Fukuda, Lee Seung-sin, Rikiya Matsuda, Jumpei Ogura, Ryoto Nakamura, Tomoki Osada, Shogo Nakano, Dylan Riley, Siosaia Fifita, Semisi Masirewa, Jone Naikabula, Lomano Lemeki, Kotaro Matsushima.
Squads courtsey of Rugby World Cup
Games coming up in Pool D
Of the teams in Pool D, England is the highest ranked team in the group, but have shown a lot of concerns on the field, like in the narrow win against Wales. There is also concerns with Japan, who has not been in good form and has lost three straight games since July 22, and Argentina, who lost three of their last four games. Still, this is what makes the group so intriguing, Samoa, who is ranked 12th in the world, as this might also an opportunity to get some big results and advance to the quarterfinals. Meanwhile, for Chile, they will be making their debut in the Rugby World Cup this year.
The first game to kick off is between England and Argentina on September 9 at 9:00 pm local time in France and 7:00 pm GMT at the Stade Vélodrome in Marseille. It is expected that game will be shown live on ITV as they have won the exclusive broadcasting rights (source: Daniel Schofield ; Charles Richardson and Ben Coles of The Telegraph).
Photo credit: Fred Romero on Flickr, CC BY 2.0
