Rugby World Cup Groups 2015: Biggest Concerns for Pool D Teams After Openers

Pool D’s heavyweights, France and Ireland played well against Italy and Canada, respectively, without really finding their rhythm. What is more, injuries are becoming an ever-increasing concern for fans and coaches, and both France and Italy suffered setbacks at the weekend.

Ireland were sloppy at times and Canada’s priority must be their defensive philosophy.

Romania have yet to kick off their campaign, so here are the five biggest concerns for the teams in Pool D.

Italy were already weakened by the injury to talented centre Luca Morisi, so the last thing the Azzurri needed against France was to lose the vastly experienced Andrea Masi for the rest of the World Cup.

To progress to the quarter-final, Italy now need to beat Ireland. That was always a tall order, but the Italians would have looked at the matchups in the centre as one area they could threaten the Irish. Without Morisi or Masi, Exeter Chiefs' Michele Campagnaro has a lot of pressure on his young shoulders.

Devastated for @andrea_masi fantastic player, huge loss for both @azzurri and @WaspsRugby

— Tom Varndell (@Tom_Varndell) September 19, 2015

Ireland were comfortable 50-7 victors against Canada, but although Joe Schmidt’s team were very good in patches, they were loose for 30 minutes before a flourish in the final 15 minutes as Canada tired.

Ireland are probably saving energy for tougher tests to come, in line with what is perceived to be Schmidt’s strategy, but it would not have taken much more exertion for Ireland to have been ruthless against the Canadians.

Speaking on ITV’s highlights show, Harlequins boss and former Ireland player Conor O’Shea noted that Ireland “could have scored 80 or 90 if we had really got ourselves going,” adding that “if we are going to achieve in this World Cup we have to eradicate them [mistakes] and be perfect.”

Canada performed well in the middle two quarters of their match against Ireland, when they threatened the Emerald Isle’s try line. However, what will be a concern was the ease with which Ireland found space for their backs, particularly off set-piece ball (see video above).

Granted, set pieces offer the attacking side a chance to deploy strike moves from the training ground, but Canada simply defended far too narrowly. This may have been because they were anticipating an Irish crash ball off first phase, but it played into the hands of Jonny Sexton, Ireland’s on-field brain. It may also betray a lack of confidence in defenders making first tackles.

Defensive alignment and organisation are what Canada will have to improve most before their next match against Italy.

France’s graceful winger, Yoann Huget, will miss the rest of the 2015 World Cup after sustaining a knee injury in the opener against Italy. The absence of Huget, who was controversially allowed to play in the World Cup following an ugly stamping incident, leaves the French devoid of artistry in the back three.

With France opting for the power of Scott Spedding at full-back and Noa Nakaitaci on the left wing, Huget was the perfect complement to these two bruisers.

France have good but unproven options to replace Huget, who, as his try against England showed last month (see video above), was ready to light up the tournament. Of their options in the back three, Sofiane Guitoune has only four caps and Brice Dulin, the man most likely to come in, has 20.

Dulin is talented, but can he match Huget’s threat?

To progress to the quarter-finals, Italy, having lost to France, will be reliant on at least one major shock in the vein of Japan versus South Africa. Unfortunately for the Azzurri, neither Canada nor Romania should be rated as even outside bets to derail the Ireland or France campaigns.

Italy simply must beat Ireland, Six Nations champions in 2014 and 2015, to have any hope of reaching the knockout stages. And that is an outcome that does not look likely.