The Masterminds Behind the 2023 Rugby World Cup Teams

The 2023 Rugby World Cup in France is just around the corner and 20 elite teams are gearing up to compete for the prestigious Williams Webb Ellis trophy. The head coaches of each team play a pivotal role in guiding their players and teams towards potential glory.

Pool A

In Pool A, French head coach Fabien Galthié (54) has been leading the French team since 2019. Ian Foster (58) coaches the New Zealand team, which is known for its exceptional performance in the rugby world, since 2019. Kieran (61), another New Zealander, has been leading Italy’s squad since 2021. South African Allister Coetzee (60) is at the helm of Namibia’s team since 2021. Lastly, Uruguay’s Esteban Meneses (51) has been coaching the team since 2015.

Pool B

Pool B showcases South Africa’s Jacques Nienaber (50), who took on the head coaching position in 2019. Ireland’s team is led by English coach Andy Farrell (48) since 2022, while Scotland’s Gregor Townsend (50) has been in charge since 2017. Tonga’s Toutai Kefu (49) is coaching his home country’s team since 2016, and Romania’s Eugen Apjok (51), whose tenure details are yet to be confirmed.

Pool C

In Pool C, Australia’s team is guided by Eddie Jones (63), who held the position from 2001–2005 and returned in 2023. Warren Gatland (59), a New Zealander, coached Wales from 2007–2019 and resumed his duties in 2022. Fiji’s Simon Raiwalui (48), another New Zealander, took on the coaching role in 2023. Georgia’s Levan Maisashvili (53) has been leading his country’s squad since 2020, and Portugal’s team is coached by Frenchman Patrice Lagisquet (60) since 2019.

Pool D

Lastly, Pool D features England’s Steve Borthwick (43), who stepped up as head coach in 2022. Argentina’s team is led by Australian Michael Cheika (56) since 2022. Japan’s Jamie Joseph (53) had a first stint as head coach in 1999 and returned to lead the team in 2016. Samoa’s Seilala Mapusua (43) has been coaching his country’s squad since 2020, and Chile’s head coach Pablo Lemoine (48), a Uruguayan, has held the position since 2018.

As the countdown to the 2023 Rugby World Cup continues, these 20 head coaches are meticulously working to hone their teams’ skills, strategies, and mental fortitude to achieve ultimate success. The coaches play a vital role in the outcome of the games and have crafted their approaches to maximize their players’ potential and seize the opportunity for victory.

Anticipation Builds

In the coming weeks, anticipation will keep building as the participating countries reveal their team jerseys and nicknames. Fans eagerly await the clash of these rugby titans, as well as the strategies and tactics the head coaches have devised to secure their place in Rugby World Cup history.