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19/14 the dominant split as all 20 Rugby World Cup squads confirmed
By Liam Heagney
With the August 28 deadline now passed for the final submission by all 20 teams of their 33-strong squads travelling to France, the names of the 660 players who will be involved at Rugby World Cup 2023 have been confirmed.
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Samoa, Tonga, Chile and Namibia have all filled the vacancies that were left in their originally selected squads.
It means that the majority of teams – 15 – have opted for selections containing 19 forwards and 14 backs, with just five deciding to go with squads consisting of 18 forwards and 15 backs.
Hosts France and defending champions South Africa were among those to go with a 19/15 split while the No1-ranked Ireland and New Zealand felt an 18/15 divide was best for them.
Here is the country-by-country list of all 20 squads for the finals which start on September 8 with the French taking on the All Blacks in Paris:
POOL A
NEW ZEALAND
Forwards (18): Ethan de Groot, Tyrel Lomax, Nepo Laulala, Fletcher Newell, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Tamaiti Williams, Dane Coles, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Codie Taylor, Scott Barrett, Brodie Retallick, Tupou Vaa’I, Samuel Whitelock, Sam Cane (captain), Shannon Frizell, Luke Jacobson, Dalton Papli’i, Ardie Savea.
Backs (15): Finlay Christie, Cam Roigard, Aaron Smith, Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie, Richie Mo’unga, Jordie Barrett, David Havili, Rieko Ioane, Anton Lienert-Brown, Caleb Clarke, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Will Jordan, Emoni Narawa, Mark Telea.
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FRANCE
Forwards (19): Cyril Baille, Jean-Baptiste Gros, Reda Wardi, Uini Atonio, Dorian Aldegheri, Sipili Falatea, Julien Marchand, Peato Mauvaka, Pierre Bourgarit, Thibaud Flament, Paul Willemse, Romain Taofifenua, Cameron Woki, Gregory Alldritt, Paul Boudehent, Francois Cros, Sekou Macalou, Charles Ollivon, Anthony Jelonch.
Backs (14): Antoine Dupont (captain), Maxime Lucu, Baptiste Couilloud, Matthieu Jalibert, Antoine Hastoy, Damian Penaud, Gabin Villiere, Louis Bielle-Biarrey, Gael Fickou, Jonathan Danty, Arthur Vincent, Yoram Moefana, Thomas Ramos, Melvyn Jaminet.
ITALY
Forwards (19): Pietro Ceccarelli, Simone Ferrari, Danilo Fischetti, Ivan Nemer, Marco Riccioni, Federico Zani, Luca Bigi, Epalahame Faiva, Giacomo Nicotera, Niccolo Cannone, Dino Lamb, Federico Ruzza, David Sisi, Lorenzo Cannone, Toa Halafihi, Michele Lamaro (captain), Sebastian Negri, Giovanni Pettinelli, Manuel Zuliani.
Backs (14): Alessandro Fusco, Alessandro Garbisi, Martin Page-Relo, Stephen Varney, Tommaso Allan, Giacomo Da Re, Paolo Garbisi, Juan Ignacio Brex, Luca Morisi, Pierre Bruno, Ange Capuozzo, Monty Ioane, Paolo Odogwu, Lorenzo Pani.
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URUGUAY
Forwards (18): Mateo Sanguinetti, Matias Benitez, Facundo Gattas, German Kessler, Guillermo Pujadas, Ignacio Peculo, Diego Arbelo, Reinaldo Piussi, Ignacio Dotti, Manuel Leindekar, Felipe Aliaga, Manuel Ardao, Santiago Civetta, Manuel Diana, Lucas Bianchi, Carlos Deus, Juan Manuel Rodriguez, Eric Dos Santos.
Backs (15): Santiago Arata, Santiago Alvarez, Agustin Ormaechea, Felipe Etcheverry, Felipe Berchesi, Andres Vilaseca (captain), Nicolas Freitas, Felipe Arcos Perez, Tomas Inciarte, Gaston Mieres, Baltazar Amaya, Juan Manuel Alonso, Rodrigo Silva, Bautista Basso, Ignacio Facciolo.
NAMIBIA
Forwards (19): Jason Benade, Aranos Coetzee, Desiderius Sethie, Haitembu Shifuka, Louis van der Westhuizen, Torsten van Jaarsveld, Casper Viviers, Tiaan de Klerk, Obert Nortje, Richard Hardwick, Adriaan Ludick, Johan Retief, Mahepisa Tjeriko, Tjiuee Uanivi, Max Katjijeko, Prince Gaoseb, PJ van Lill, Wian Conradie, Adriaan Booysen.
Backs (14): Damian Stevens, Oela Blaauw, Jacques Theron, Cliven Loubser, Tiaan Swanepoel, Andre van der Berg, Johan Deysel, JC Greyling, Danco Burger, Le Roux Malan, Alcino Isaacs, Gerswin Mouton, Chad Plato, Divan Rossouw.
POOL B
SOUTH AFRICA
Forwards (19): Steven Kitshoff, Vincent Koch, Frans Malherbe, Ox Nche, Trevor Nyakane, Bongi Mbonambi, Malcolm Marx, Eben Etzebeth, Jean Kleyn, Franco Mostert, Marvin Orie, RG Snyman, Deon Fourie, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi (captain), Kwagga Smith, Marco van Staden, Duane Vermeulen, Jasper Wiese.
Backs (14): Faf de Klerk, Jaden Hendrikse, Cobus Reinach, Grant Williams, Manie Libbok, Damian Willemse, Damian de Allende, Andre Esterhuizen, Jesse Kriel, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Cheslin Kolbe, Willie le Roux, Makazole Mapimpi, Canan Moodie.
IRELAND
Forwards (18): Finlay Bealham, Tadhg Furlong, Jeremy Loughman, Dave Kilcoyne, Tom O’Toole, Andrew Porter, Rob Herring, Ronan Kelleher, Dan Sheehan, Ryan Baird, Tadhg Beirne, Iain Henderson, Joe McCarthy, James Ryan, Jack Conan, Caelan Doris, Peter O’Mahony, Josh van der Flier.
Backs (15): Craig Casey, Jamison Gibson-Park, Conor Murray, Ross Byrne, Jack Crowley, Jonathan Sexton (captain), Bundee Aki, Robbie Henshaw, Stuart McCloskey, Garry Ringrose, Keith Earls, Mack Hansen, Hugo Keenan, James Lowe, Jimmy O’Brien.
SCOTLAND
Forwards (19): Jamie Bhatti, Zander Fagerson, WP Nel, Pierre Schoeman, Javan Sebastian, Rory Sutherland, Ewan Ashman, Dave Cherry, George Turner, Scott Cummings, Grant Gilchrist, Richie Gray, Sam Skinner, Luke Crosbie, Rory Darge, Jack Dempsey, Matt Fagerson, Jamie Ritchie (captain), Hamish Watson.
Backs (14): George Horne, Ali Price, Ben White, Ben Healy, Finn Russell, Chris Harris, Huw Jones, Cameron Redpath, Sione Tuipulotu, Darcy Graham, Blair Kinghorn, Ollie Smith, Kyle Steyn, Duhan van der Merwe.
TONGA
Forwards (19): Sosefo Apikotoa, Adam Coleman, Vaea Fifita, Siegfried Fisi’ihoi, Feao Fotuaika, Solomone Funaki, Tanginoa Halaifonua, Sione Havili Talitui, Leva Fifita, Tau Kolomatangi, Paula Latu, Samiuela Lousi, Sitiveni Mafi, Siua Maile, Samiuela Moli, Paula Ngauamo, Semisi Paea, Ben Tameifuna, Sione Vailanu.
Backs (14): Pita Ahki, Malakai Fekitoa, William Havili, Fine Inisi, Solomone Kata, Otumaka Mausia, George Moala, Manu Paea, Charles Piutau, Augustine Pulu, Sonatane Takulua (captain), Kyren Taumoefolau, Afusipa Taumoepeau, Anzelo Tuitavuki.
ROMANIA
Forwards (19): Alexandru Savin, Gheorghe Gajion, Thomas Cretu, Alexandru Gordas, Costel Burila, Iulian Hartig, Ovidiu Cojocaru, Robert Irimescu, Florin Bardasu, Adrian Motoc, Marius Iftimiciuc, Stefan Iancu, Cristi Chirica (captain), Andre Gorin, Vlad Neculau, Dragos Ser, Cristi Boboc, Florian Rosu, Damian Stratila.
Backs (14): Gabriel Rupanu, Florin Surugiu, Alin Conache, Gabriel Pop, Sioeli Lama , Tudor Boldor, Nicolas Onutu, Marius Simionescu, Fonovai Tangimana, Taylor Gontineac, Jason Tomane, Tevita Manumua, Hinckley Vaovasa, Taliauli Sikuea.
A team that love to entertain
Excited to see what @PortugalRugby can bring to #RWC2023 pic.twitter.com/1d26crolsW
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) August 28, 2023
POOL C
WALES
Forwards (19): Nicky Smith, Gareth Thomas, Corey Domachowski, Tomas Francis, Dillon Lewis, Henry Thomas, Dewi Lake (co-captain), Elliot Dee, Ryan Elias, Adam Beard, Dafydd Jenkins, Will Rowlands, Christ Tshiunza, Taine Basham, Dan Lydiate, Tommy Reffell, Jac Morgan (co-captain), Taulupe Faletau, Aaron Wainwright.
Backs (14): Gareth Davies, Tomos Williams, Gareth Anscombe, Dan Biggar, Sam Costelow, Johnny Williams, Nick Tompkins, Mason Grady, George North, Josh Adams, Rio Dyer, Louis Rees-Zammit, Leigh Halfpenny, Liam Williams.
AUSTRALIA
Forwards (19): Angus Bell, Pone Fa’amausili, Zane Nonggorr, Blake Schoupp, James Slipper, Taniela Tupou, Matt Faessler, Dave Porecki, Jordan Uelese, Richie Arnold, Nick Frost, Matt Philip, Will Skelton (captain), Langi Gleeson, Tom Hooper, Josh Kemeny, Rob Leota, Fraser McReight, Rob Valetini.
Backs (14): Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Tate McDermott, Nic White, Carter Gordon, Lalakai Foketi, Samu Kerevi, Izaia Perese, Jordan Petaia, Max Jorgensen, Andrew Kellaway, Marika Koroibete, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Suliasi Vunivalu, Ben Donaldson.
FIJI
Forwards (18): Eroni Mawi, Peni Ravai, Jone Koroiduadua, Mesake Doge, Luke Tagi, Samu Tawake, Tevita Ikanivere, Sam Matavesi, Zuriel Togiatama, Isoa Nasilasila, Temo Mayanavanua, Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, Albert Tuisue, Lekima Tagitagivalu, Levani Botia, Vilive Miramira, Meli Derenalagi, Viliame Mata.
Backs (15): Frank Lomani, Simi Kuruvoli, Peni Matawalu, Caleb Muntz, Teti Tela, Josua Tuisova, Semi Radradra, Waisea Nayacalevu (captain), Iosefo Masi, Selesitino Ravutaumada, Vinaya Habosi, Jiuta Wainiqolo, Kalaveti Ravouvou, Sireli Maqala, Ilaisa Droasese.
GEORGIA
Forwards (19): Nika Abuladze, Beka Gigashvili, Guram Gogichashvili, Luka Japaridze, Mikheil Nariashvili, Guram Papidze, Shalva Mamukashvili, Luka Nioradze, Tengiz Zamtaradze, Vladimeri Chachanidze, Nodar Cheishvili, Lasha Jaiani, Konstantine Mikautadze, Mikheil Gachechiladze, Beka Gorgadze, Luka Ivanishvili, Tornike Jalagonia, Beka Saginadze, Giorgi Tsutskiridze.
Backs (14): Gela Aprasidze, Vasil Lobzhanidze, Tengizi Zamtaradze, Tedo Abzhandadze, Luka Matkava, Demur Tapladze, Aleksandre Todua, Merab Sharikadze (captain), Tornike Kakhoidze, Miriani Modebadze, Akaki Tabutsadze, Davit Niniashvili, Lasha Khmaladze, Giorgi Kveseladze.
PORTUGAL
Forwards (19): Antonio Machado Santos, David Costa, Diogo Hasse Ferreira, Francisco Fernandes, Francisco Bruno, Anthony Alves, Duarte Diniz, Lionel Campergue, Mike Tadjer, Duarte Torgal, Jose Madeira, Manuel Picao, Steevy Cerqueira, Martim Belo, Nicolas Martins, Rafael Simoes, Joao Granate, Thibault de Freitas, David Wallis.
Backs (14): Joao Belo, Pedro Lucas, Samuel Marques, Jeronimo Portela, Joris Moura, Jose Lima, Tomas Appleton (captain), Pedro Bettencourt, Marta Rodrigo, Vincent Pinto, Manuel Cardoso Pinto, Raffaele Storti, Nuno Sousa Guedes, Simao Bento.
POOL D
ENGLAND
Forwards (19): Dan Cole, Ellis Genge, Joe Marler, Bevan Rodd, Kyle Sinckler, Will Stuart, Theo Dan, Jamie George, Jack Walker, Ollie Chessum, Maro Itoje, Courtney Lawes, George Martin, Tom Curry, Ben Earl, Lewis Ludlam, David Ribbans, Billy Vunipola, Jack Willis.
Backs (14): Danny Care, Alex Mitchell, Ben Youngs, Owen Farrell (captain), George Ford, Marcus Smith, Elliot Daly, Ollie Lawrence, Joe Marchant, Jonny May, Manu Tuilagi, Henry Arundell, Max Malins, Freddie Steward.
JAPAN
Forwards (19): Keita Inagaki, Craig Millar, Sione Halasili, Jiwon Gu, Kakinaga Shinnosuke, Asaeli Ai Valu, Shota Horie, Atsushi Sakate, Kosuke Horikoshi, Jack Cornelsen, Warner Dearns, Amanaki Saumaki, Pieter Labuschagne, Amato Fakatava, Shota Fukui, Kazuki Himeno (captain), Michael Leitch, Ben Gunter, Kanji Shimokawa.
Backs (14): Naoto Saito, Yutaka Nagare, Kenta Fukuda, Seung-sin Lee, Rikiya Matsuda, Jumpei Ogura, Ryoto Nakamura, Tomoki Osada, Dylan Riley, Siosaia Fifita, Semisi Masirewa, Jone Naikabula, Lomano Lemeki, Kotaro Matsushima.
ARGENTINA
Forwards (18): Francisco Gomez Kodela, Joel Sclavi, Thomas Gallo, Eduardo Bello, Julian Montoya (captain), Agustin Creevy, Ignacio Ruiz, Matias Alemanno, Tomas Lavanini, Guido Petti, Facundo Isa, Pablo Matera, Juan Martin Gonzalez, Joaquin Oviedo, Marcos Kremer, Rodrigo Bruni, Pedro Rubiolo.
Backs (15): Gonzalo Bertranou, Tomas Cubelli, Lautaro Bazán Velez, Santiago Carreras, Nicolas Sanchez, Santiago Chocobares, Lucio Cinti, Jeronimo de la Fuente, Matías Moroni, Emiliano Boffelli, Mateo Carreras, Rodrigo Isgro, Juan Cruz Mallia, Martin Bogado, Juan Imhoff.
SAMOA
Forwards (19): Michael Alaalatoa (co-captain), Paul Alo-Emile, Charlie Faumuina, James Lay, 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 (14): 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
Forwards (19): Javier Carrasco, Salvador Lues, Vittorio Lastra, Matias Dittus, Inaki Gurruchaga, Esteban Inostroza, Augusto Bohme, Tomas Dussaillant, Diego Escobar, Javier Eissmann, Pablo Huete, Santiago Pedrero, Augusto Sarmiento, Alfonso Escobar, Raimundo Martinez, Thomas Orchard, Clemente Saavedra, Martin Sigren (captain), Ignacio Silva.
Backs (14): Lukas Carvallo, Nicolas Herreros, Marcelo Torrealba, Benjamin Videla, Rodrigo Fernandez, Santiago Videla, Pablo Casas, Matias Garafulic, Jose Ignacio Larenas, Domingo Saavedra, Franco Velarde, Nicolas Garafulic, Inaki Ayarza, Francisco Urroz.
