10 Bold Predictions for World Rugby in 2015
It's a massive year for rugby that we're heading into, with 2015 promising to hold as many a devilish twist and turn as any before it in the professional era.
Of course, England's Rugby World Cup sits highest on our list of must-watch occasions and as a result boasts particular prominence in our list of bold predictions for the 12 months ahead.
Some calls are more audacious than others, but at such an early stage, each foretelling is certainly at risk of falling off the mark, taking both southern and northern hemisphere contests into account.
1. Ireland Claim Second Six Nations Grand Slam
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The progress made by Ireland under Joe Schmidt thus far into his national team tenure has been astounding, with even those in the squad undoubtedly surprised by how far they've come in the past year.
The 2014 Six Nations win was perhaps a faster-than-expected crystallisation of their progress. For some players, it was an emotional platform to bow out on, spliced with the first steps of those prospects Schmidt had begun to draft into the squad.
Unfortunately, defeat to England prevented the Irish from replicating their feat of 2009 and recording a Grand Slam, but when examining which team has evolved more in the past nine months, Schmidt's men prevail.
Similarly, there's no clear side in the Six Nations bunch who have made more encouraging steps. France showed in their autumn series that they're improved, but perhaps not ready to win at the Aviva Stadium, while Wales also looked vulnerable in November.
All the signs are positive for Ireland and no issues are particularly evident in any area of the pitch, with the side even managing to survive their own injury run and achieve a perfect autumn record against Australia, South Africa and Georgia.
2. Toulon Make It Two Top 14 Titles on the Trot
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Diversification in the Top 14 has been a topic discussed at length in European circles, but Toulon's foreigner-packed ranks have a substantial edge in not having so many Europeans under their command.
Come the Six Nations, Mourad Boudjellal's heavy investments will mean Toulon should be able to open up a gap at the head of the French top flight, while the likes of Clermont, Montpellier, Racing Metro and Toulouse are more significantly weakened.
Admittedly, proposing France's big spenders to come out on top come season's end may not seem the boldest of predictions, but Toulon have by no means looked unbeatable after suffering four losses already this term.
Bernard Laporte already tasted domestic triumph in 2014, but the Toulon helmsman will be ready to keep his title at Stade Mayol in 2015, with no other team closing the gap on his squad's depth as of yet.
3. Bath Roll Back the Years with Twickenham Success
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Come next year, it will have been 19 years since Bath last won a Premiership title and 11 years since they last topped the standings during the regular season.
Through some savvy recruitment in recent years, both expensive and otherwise, the West Country outfit are genuinely back among the big guns, although Mike Ford may not admit it so candidly.
The arrival of Sam Burgess has created hype, but for all that risked excitement, there's a more solid substance of players at The Rec, which will lead to their title challenge later this season.
With eight wins from their first 10 games of the season and some promise in Europe, the team is progressing well. Only Saracens have scored more points than them in the league and only leaders Northampton Saints have conceded fewer.
In many ways, it may be better if the European Champions Cup campaign didn't run too long so that they might concentrate on domestic matters. However, such is Ford's motivation to impress on a bigger scale, his side may go all the way to Twickenham.
Behind George Ford sits a back line brimming with talent. Jonathan Joseph, Kyle Eastmond, Anthony Watson, Semesa Rokoduguni, Gavin Henson, Ollie Devoto, Matt Banahan, Horacio Agulla and Luke Arscott offer options in every position.
The back row is similarly stacked with the versatile Burgess aiding Francois Lou, Leroy Houston, Alafoti Fa'osiliva, Carl Fearns and more, while a healthy front five can rival any other in the land.
That point about health serves a poignant clause, though. It will be of some intrigue to see how Ford's selection is affected come the Six Nations and fortune will play some role in keeping the entire crew fit.
However, even a great deal of the players now seen as backups at The Rec are of a tremendous quality. Come May 30, 2015, this side should have its best assets available and it's their time to shine, with all signs pointing to Twickenham.
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4. Northampton Saints Move on to Bigger Things After Champions Cup Crown
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Although the Saints may not be able to sew up back-to-back Premiership wins in our minds, they will be capable of settling for the all too amicable "booby prize" of a European Rugby Champions Cup.
Jim Mallinder's men are coping just fine so far in the inaugural staging of this tournament, breaking their European victory record thanks to a 67-0 win over Treviso, a statement of this side's awesome power.
George North is now in flowing form at Franklin's Gardens (if there were ever a doubt he eventually would be) and the Premiership title holders hold a points difference on plus-109—70 points greater than any other team's.
A loss at Racing Metro wasn't the finest way to open their account, but topping one of France's big guns at home will help in proving doubters wrong, and their bonus-try beating of Ospreys was no mean feat.
This Northampton team evidently has the first-XV quality to make an impression and has left a mark on Europe in years gone by, but 15 years on from their last European triumph, the Saints will reign again in 2015.
5. Chris Boyd Announces Hurricanes Arrival with Super Rugby Tilt
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This is arguably the most audacious attempt at predicting the drama poised to unfold in 2015. Picking out a Super Rugby victor this far in advance is on its own difficult enough, never mind a team coming under new management for the upcoming campaign.
The departure of Mark Hammett from the Hurricanes hot seat may have been disappointing to some, but in Chris Boyd, the franchise sees a replacement boasting tremendous experience.
Boyd has served as New Zealand under-20s coach for the past two years and made steady progress with Wellington in the ITM Cup.
His only Super Rugby experience up until now is a two-year stint as assistant at the Sharks between 2006 and 2008, but studying under the likes of Dick Muir and John Plumtree will have undoubtedly bore great wisdom on what it's like to be part of such a strong outfit.
One point was all the Canes needed to clinch a playoff place last season, but despite some departures, the squad may feel it's stronger this time around.
National team partners Conrad Smith and Ma'a Nonu will team up following the latter's arrival in Wellington, while the addition of Rey Lee-Lo offers another classy option in midfield.
Southland's Willis Halaholo was a dazzling star in this year's ITM Cup with Southland and Jason Woodward is another exciting pick-up, but this season will be all about building on the established base during 2014.
Boyd will expect Beauden Barrett to once again make strides as a world-class fly-half and there's a certain responsibility on Julian Savea and Cory Jane to stay fit all season long.
The forwards have a number of emerging All Blacks therein and TJ Perenara is another player capable of igniting this fearsome back line.
Getting past the Crusaders as New Zealand's most consistent conference threat will be tough, but the Hurricanes are seeing a number of their stars come into form, a lot of pressure resting on Boyd to simply make it jell.
6. Ospreys Realise Welsh Resurgence with Pro12 Glory
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Welsh rugby has been through hell and back of late, it's seemed, but the wheels are gradually falling back into place for the regions to get momentum back on track.
With better funding now in place after agreements for distribution of the broadcasting rights was settled, stars are beginning to believe in the home cause once more and Ospreys are benefiting as much as any.
The current Pro12 leaders this week announced that Wales flanker Justin Tipuric had spurned the advances of England and France to pen a three-year extension at the Liberty Stadium, per BBC Sport, with Tipuric stating:
"I'm just incredibly happy to have sorted this out so that I can focus solely on my rugby. It's very flattering to be linked with the clubs that I have been, but my focus was always on signing a new contract here. That's what I always wanted, and that's what I've done.
We are working hard here to build something for the long term, we have some quality young talent coming through and you get the feeling that something special is coming. I'm pleased that I can continue doing my bit and be a part of it.
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Standards have slipped for the region in recent campaigns, and an inability to compete fiercely in Europe was only damaging Ospreys' chances at future success further.
However, in tying down the elite stars they do possess, the Welsh giants can now hope to make a more genuine threat both domestically and in continental contest.
With the likes of Alun-Wyn Jones, Dan Lydiate, Nicky Smith, Dan Biggar, Rhys Webb and a host of other core stars all impressing, their roster is on the rise once more.
It's a tough task, but given their recent surge through the Pro 12 table, it's clear the mood is improving in Swansea, and the club has the talent to back it up with a shove to this season's trophy.
7. Slammin' Sam Will Start in England's Centres Come September
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Right now, there are a great many questions surrounding Burgess and his rugby union future. Where is he best utilised? Can Bath and England agree in that debate? Will he feature at the World Cup in any capacity?
At this early juncture, it's difficult to make a call of any, but if forced to make our guesses, it would read: centre, probably not and yes.
Burgess has played mainly at centre in his opening exchanges as a Premiership player, but scored his first try for Bath United in an A League game on Monday evening while out as a back-rower.
The former Sydney Rabbitohs talisman has the advantage of hoping for a place in a midfield that needs every elite candidate it can get its hands on.
Despite the best efforts of Billy Twelvetrees, Brad Barritt, Luther Burrell, Joseph and others, Manu Tuilagi seems the only centre—if fit—with a World Cup place guaranteed.
We predict that not only will Burgess quickly get to grips with life in union, but also that hulking frame will come to thrive on the more technical nuances.
Murmurs suggest Burgess will be fast-tracked into the Saxons setup in early 2015, giving him another edge in the pursuit of an international future.
The Six Nations may be too soon, but with the kind of work ethic and astonishing athleticism he possesses, it's foreseeable that Burgess will line up against Fiji on September 18, 2015, as part of Lancaster's midfield make-up.
8. Wallabies Fall Victim to Group of Death Curse
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At every World Cup, there are sacrifices, some of which aren't consensual. Australia will find out just how cruel fate can be at next year's competition.
Lined up in what is assuredly the tightest pool of the lot, the Wallabies will take on home outfits England and Wales, with Fiji and Uruguay providing some wildcard opposition, the former being the more obvious danger.
If the November series is anything to go by, Lancaster's men can feel confident about their chances, but Warren Gatland is no stranger to clutch occasions and boasts a promising bunch of Welsh up-and-comers.
Australia, on the other hand, aren't as full of hope. The squad is neither brimming with prodigious youngsters nor replete with seasoned heads, but is caught somewhere in the middle, with players close to their primes struggling to impress.
Michael Cheika's squad started their autumn tour with a promising win over the Welsh, but followed that result up with defeats to France, Ireland and England.
Come September, Wales and England will undoubtedly have their best XVs in mind and the pressure of impressing in front of home audiences will give them the fire to perform. Not to mention the home field itself gives the duo a slight edge.
Michael Hooper is likely to be the leader of Cheika's roster come that time, but while the Waratahs flanker has done a fine job in the role, it's indicative that there isn't a more obvious, experienced figure present to take the reins.
In short terms, it just seems as though the talent isn't there for Australia right now. Overseas players are missing and several controversies would appear to have unnerved morale, which won't get them past the pools.
9. Scotland Will Make a Shock Semi-Final Run
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We're certainly into bold territory when discussing the topic of Scotland managing to match their best-ever finish at the Rugby World Cup, but that's not outside the realms of possibility in 2015.
And by that, we don't merely mean "they're in it, so they can win it." No, Vern Cotter's team genuinely has a chance of making it to the semi-finals in England, a stage of the tournament they haven't reached since 1991.
The Scots are on an encouraging path under Cotter. His summer start at the helm first brought about wins over the United States, Canada and Argentina, but a 55-6 loss to South Africa quickly brought them back down to Earth.
However, with another five months at the team's helm, Cotter again showed this past autumn how his influence was working its magic.
In November wins over Tonga and Argentina—not to mention a gutsy eight-point loss to the All Blacks—we saw a new, unrestrained Scotland, and one that was willing to believe in its own attacking ability.
In those three autumn results, the Scots averaged a score of just under 32 points per game compared with the lowly 17.5 points per game averaged in their summer tour—a sign of how Cotter has asserted his grip.
South Africa will almost certainly top Pool B, but Scotland can look upon Samoa, Japan and the United States and feel upbeat about their chances of taking three victories.
In the quarters, they would face the runners-up of Pool A, which is likely to be any of England, Wales or Australia, none of whom many would agree are invincible.
If Scotland's strides under former Clermont tactician Cotter have been this encouraging so far, one can only imagine what the next nine months hold. With a fully fit squad and good fortune, who's to say the nation from the north won't rise again in 2015?
10. Ireland Earn All Blacks Revenge with World Cup Triumph
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Schmidt will remember the last time he faced his home nation in formal competition; Ireland's 24-22 home defeat to New Zealand at the end of the 2013 autumn series left its mark on many.
It was a bittersweet end to Schmidt's first real run in charge of the Irish squad, a sign of what his team were capable of, but at the same time a damning reminder of whose world this was.
Steve Hansen's champions are hoping to become the first team ever to successfully defend the World Cup crown. Ireland will be happy enough just to claim their first-ever world title.
And it's certainly plausible that will be the case after Schmidt's men showed they're currently the dominant force of the northern hemisphere during an unbeaten 2014 autumn series.
Try as South Africa and Australia may have, the travelling outfits were repelled from Dublin, but it's important to note this Ireland side is still in its ascendancy.
Ex-Leinster mastermind Schmidt is still working his magic in adapting to the departure of Brian O'Driscoll, but it's a plan that's in fine hands with Gordon D'Arcy mentoring the likes of Robbie Henshaw, Darren Cave and Jared Payne.
Ireland have the capacity to fend off France and the rest of the Pool D hopefuls before making their way past likely Pool C runners-up Argentina and whoever from Pool A or B manages to make it to the semis.
At present, we have a great chance of seeing a final between Ireland and New Zealand, but this Ireland team is hitting form at just the right time if it wants to dethrone one of the greatest dynasties in sports history.
Jonathan Sexton leads a pack of mentally fortuitous stars who possess all the resolve that the All Blacks do and are fast catching up in depth.
This is arguably the best chance Ireland have ever had at winning a Rugby World Cup, and as ironic as it might be just over 12 months after O'Driscoll retired from the game, Paul O'Connell can see them through to maiden title glory.
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