SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: European teams dominated the pools and I’m predicting a Six Nations clean sweep in the quarters. Here comes THE NORTHERN POWERHOUSE

• Northern hemisphere teams topped all four groups for the first time ever 
• I now expect that all four semi-finalists will be teams from the Six Nations 
• New Zealand – Ireland and South Africa – France would have been fitting finals 
• Latest Rugby World Cup 2023 news, including fixtures, live scores and results

For the first time in World Cup history, northern hemisphere teams topped all the pools, setting up four intriguing quarter-finals.

The fact Ireland play New Zealand and France are facing South Africa shows how ridiculous the draw is. Those two games would both be fitting finals.

Two big teams are going to go out and there is a very real chance the semi-finals could be made up entirely of teams from the Six Nations. Here’s my guide to the start of the knockout stages:

Wales v Argentina

Warren Gatland has done an amazing job to take Wales from where they were in the Six Nations to the quarter-finals. To top a pool at any World Cup is an impressive feat and Wales have done it with 19 points from a possible 20.

Warren Gatland has done an amazing job to take Wales to the quarter-finals with 19 points

Gatland will want Dan Biggar back to start at No 10, as Wales take on Argentina in the quarters

The tournament-ending broken arm suffered by No 8 Taulupe Faletau is a big blow but I think they will still have a big spring in their step. Wales have always been a momentum team — they don’t have a player of Faletau’s ability who can replace him like-for-like but they have hungry, versatile players like Jac Morgan, Tommy Reffell and Taine Basham.

Injuries are a part of World Cups, it’s about how you respond. Nick Tompkins and George North are having great tournaments in midfield and Wales’ back three is dangerous. Gatland will want Dan Biggar back to start at No 10.

Like England, Wales are in the second division at this World Cup but they have a very good chance of making a semi-final, and there is absolutely no reason why they can’t beat Argentina. The Pumas hadn’t been at their best in France and although they were much more like themselves against Japan yesterday, Wales won’t be afraid.

Prediction: Wales win

Ireland v New Zealand

Ireland are playing on a different level to every other team at this World Cup and the only side close to them is France. I can’t see New Zealand beating Ireland if Andy Farrell’s side reproduce the sort of performance they delivered against Scotland. What a job Farrell has done. He is clearly a wonderful coach but has also put a great team around him in Paul O’Connell, Simon Easterby and Mike Catt.

Everything Ireland did against Scotland was world class. Often, their rugby looks so simple and that is the highest compliment I can pay them. Johnny Sexton is playing the best rugby of his life at 38 and Ireland’s back three is so dangerous. They have it all — the only concern for them is injuries, and Farrell will hope Mack Hansen, James Ryan and James Lowe can recover to face the All Blacks.

Ireland’s Johnny Sexton is playing the best rugby of his life at 38, part of them having it all

I can’t see New Zealand winning if Andy Farrell’s side replicate their showing against Scotland

This Ireland side reminds me of England in 2003 because they went to New Zealand and won ahead of the tournament and are also world No 1 and Six Nations Grand Slam champions. Bundee Aki against Jordie Barrett will be an amazing contest in midfield but I think Ireland will have too much.

One of the most impressive aspects of their game is how fast they start, which will be crucial against New Zealand — they’ll want to get double digits on the board in the first 20 minutes.

Prediction: Ireland win

England v Fiji

Seeing Ireland play straight after England’s limp victory over Samoa only emphasised further just how far Steve Borthwick’s side are behind the best. Apart from the fact England won — and that was a miracle, really — there was not a single positive I could take from the match. If England play against Fiji on Sunday like they did against Samoa, they’ll be on the plane home soon afterwards.

After the Samoa win, I was interested to hear Ben Earl say England are focusing on being a hard team to beat. Perhaps Earl is being realistic and that is the limit of England’s expectations. But I don’t like that rhetoric. I see it as a negative approach. I think that mindset needs to shift for England to be successful. There is no way Ireland and France are thinking like Earl. Their approach is that they can beat any team on the planet.

Borthwick has got the biggest week of his coaching life now. The bottom line is if he gets England to a World Cup semi-final, he’ll have done a great job. But after the way England played against Samoa, the Fiji game is very much 50-50 in terms of the result.

England have to tighten up defensively. They looked so vulnerable against Samoa and ran out of numbers very quickly. With a bit more luck, Samoa could have scored three further tries. I’ve constantly talked about England playing with pace but that doesn’t just apply to attack. It’s defence, too. With a neutral hat on, I hope Fiji don’t get too tactical and try to mirror England’s kicking game. If they run the ball, they’ll cause problems.

Prediction: England win

On their current form, the match between England and Fiji is 50-50 in terms of the result

If Antoine Dupont returns for France against South Africa, it will be great for the tournament

France v South Africa

It will be great for the tournament if Antoine Dupont is fit to return and lead France in the quarter-finals after cheekbone surgery. Like Ireland against New Zealand, I expect this to be really close. I think France will win because there is a feeling that, as hosts, they simply have to. I hope they do because it would be great if the northern hemisphere was leading the way. But the psychology around this game is fascinating.

I think South Africa are a better team than when they won the last World Cup. They have an amazing side but face a big call at No 10 for the France game. If I was coaching the Springboks, I’d continue with Manie Libbok in place of Handre Pollard. Libbok kicked poorly against Ireland and had an off day but he has so much to offer in attack. In big World Cup knockout games, the sort of creativity he brings can make a big difference but it still might not be enough to down France.

Prediction: France win

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