Our Top 5 Betting Sites For The Rugby World Cup
Watching the Rugby World Cup matches is enjoyable in itself. Perhaps you can increase the interest in the games by finding markets and odds to place your bets on which offer value, making the most of the competition. We’ve identified five Rugby betting sites that should be on your must have list, so if you do not have an account yet, now is the time:
Unibet
Thanks to its versatility, Unibet is prepared to offer an exclusive platform for Rugby World Cup bets. You can visit their website on your desktop or join the over 16 million players on the app and bet on the go. The layout might take a bit to get used to, but the experience is a breeze once you master the navigation.
Unibet is among the best rugby betting sites. The markets might not blow an experienced punter out of the water, but they are solid and should have all you need. Look for rugby in the sports section, and you’ll be surprised at how many markets there are and how much value the odds offer.
Unibet has a good range of payment methods and there are no charges. Withdrawing from the platform is simple, although they warn that you may wait up to three days, depending on the payment option you are using. In our experience it has always been paid much quicker, never longer than 48 hours.
Other valuable features for online rugby betting at Unibet include in-play bets and live streaming. Follow the games in real-time and place bets when the opportunity arises. Moreover, you’ll be better positioned to examine the game and the teams’ strengths before placing any bets.
Like most modern bookmakers, Unibet offers a generous sportsbook bonus for new customers. The full details of this and any other existing user promotions can be found on the website. Overall Unibet is a great rugby betting bookmaker and will effortlessly top any list with its features, bonuses, and versatility, from the desktop site to the mobile application.
BetUK
The much in-demand cash-out feature is no longer a pipe dream but a reality available at the best online bookmakers. BetUK is one of the bookies with cash-out available, allowing players to settle their bets settlement before the match actually finishes. So, you could live-stream the events (most of them) and make timely withdrawals before your bets go south.
BetUK has an extensive range of betting markets that can be overwhelming to new players. Hence, we recommend you stay relaxed and browse them until you find and fully understand the ones you want to use. The Rugby World Cup occurs once every four years, and BetUK’s betting options are ready to serve you during the upcoming one.
You can bet on and live stream matches on your desktop, tablet, or smartphone. The website is responsive on mobile devices, but you can always download the mobile application, which offers more options. You can enjoy all the features, regardless of which platform you opt for.
BetUK offers new players a sign-up bonus, and you can deposit through several payment options, including instant bank transfer, PayPal, Visa debit card, and more. Payments have no processing fees and instantly credited deposits.
888Sport
This online bookmaker is a star of the in-play betting scene, with a wide variety of markets across many different sports. The website may look a bit dull with its dark background and orange designs, but it gets the job done, which is vital. Navigating from the sports section to the matches, markets, and odds is smooth, whether on desktop or mobile.
You can download the mobile application to access the odds available and view the various matches progress quickly. Alternatively, add the website to your home screen for quicker loading than opening your browser and tapping it. 888Sport is among the top rugby betting sites, but it also features dozens of other sports that other bookies can only dream of.
Payments will be OK on this platform, as it supports PayPal, paysafecard, Visa, Mastercard, and more, with instant deposit processing. The transaction fees for deposits and withdrawals are zero, meaning you’ll get the complete amount for every transaction you make. You can check the previously mentioned bookies if you wish to make a deposit of £5. At 888Sport you will need to fund your account with £10 as this is the minimum deposit amount.
When it comes to placing a bet you can make multiple selections to your betslip allowing you to choose from placing single, accumulator, and multiple bets, bringing versatility to the experience. You can also get Free bets as part of the Welcome bonus when you register and place your first bet (terms and conditions apply). So, you can warm up now and get used to the platform as the Rugby World Cup dawns on us.
William Hill
Both Rugby League and Rugby Union are available at William Hill, along with dozens of other sports for betting. Most importantly, you can follow the World Cup from day one and place bets on upcoming or ongoing matches. Yes, the bookie supports in-play betting with live TV on most sports.
New users can receive a generous welcome bonus at William Hill to warm you up for the tournament as long as you meet all the T&C's that apply.
The mobile app is also available to give you the flexibility of betting on the go, you can review markets and place bets from anywhere at any time. It can do everything the desktop version can, from viewing your bet slip to in-play betting and live TV. Notwithstanding, the desktop version provides a wider field of view.
You can change the price format from decimal to fractional (or even American odds if you wish) and then place bets in your preferred style. That feature is common in most sportsbooks, but it is worth pointing out, especially for new players.
William Hill is ready to take your Rugby World Cup bet and reward you with quick withdrawals if you win. The payment options include Visa, bank transfers, PayPal, Mastercard, etc. These methods have zero processing fees for deposits and withdrawals, but they have varying acceptable deposit and withdrawal limits.
Betway
Knowing player and team stats, including previous performances, can help you make better Rugby World Cup predictions. Betway offers these extras, taking the lead over many sportsbooks that only feature matches without statistics. Hence, Betway rounds up our recommendations for the best online bookmakers for the tournament.
Click or tap any match to view the latest form, top scorers, player stats, standings, etc. These are all on the Betway website in a well-designed layout, boosting the gambling experience. The white colour adds energy, reduces eye strain, and makes navigation on the platform painless.
Betway offers an all-around experience on multiple devices thanks to its responsive platform. The bookmaker is available through browsers and a mobile application, each offering the same features but in a different layout. For example, the desktop version is more stretched in landscape mode, while the mobile version has a more portrait look.
This online bookmaker offers sports betting services and blogs to help you stay updated. With these, you can stay ahead of the game by learning about ongoing events, player news, and insights. Add them to the efficient payment methods, and you have an irresistible product for taking on the Rugby World Cup.
Compare Best Rugby World Cup 2023 Betting Sites
We’ve reviewed the best online sportsbooks for rugby and seen their strengths. However, the table below shows how they compare to each other and our thoughts on their ranking:
|
Category |
Bookmaker |
Join the site |
|---|---|---|
|
Overall Best Rugby World Cup Betting Site |
William Hill |
|
|
Best Odds for the Rugby World Cup |
Matchbook |
|
|
Best Bonuses for the Rugby World Cup |
BetUK |
|
|
Best App for the Rugby World Cup |
Betway |
|
|
Best In-play wagering and live-streaming capabilities |
Unibet |
How We Choose the Best Rugby World Cup Bookmaker
We’ve seen many online bookmakers that claim to offer unrivalled sports betting services. Not all of them actually deliver on their promises of a good betting experience. So, we developed a yardstick to help us recommend the best to you, where your money is safe, and value is provided.
They include the following parameters:
Design
Regardless of how feature-rich a platform is, our interaction with it ultimately relies on the design, both visually and in terms of navigation. Typical questions we ask when reviewing a sportsbook’s design include:
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Will the colour scheme cause eye strain if viewed for an extended period?
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How quickly can we find sports, matches, and betting markets?
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What is the overall layout showing the sports markets and bet slip?
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Is the site responsive on desktop and mobile?
We often review the betting markets before settling on the best odds. Hence, the colours and visuals should be pleasing and relaxing to the eyes and the navigation should be smooth with well-placed buttons. Also, the design should be responsive to mobile devices without losing essential features.
Highest Odds
The odds in any game are the primary determinant of how much you’ll win. Hence, we consider the odds critical when reviewing and recommending online bookmakers. Options that make it to our recommended lists must have the best odds that offer substantial payouts if won.
Let’s take the top points scorer betting market as an example. Our team will thoroughly review bookies to see which have the highest odds. You can never control if a bet will win or lose, but you can control whether or not you take the best odds available, and the higher the odds, the higher the returns will be.
Betting Markets
While odds primarily determine how much a bet pays out, betting markets bring flexibility. Our gold standard is placing bets in markets you are familiar with, but what happens if that market is not available? That’s why we go for bookmakers with an extensive market.
The importance of betting markets is as follows:
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They allow us to bet on the elements of a match we are most confident predicting
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They give us different options to find value and reasonable payout
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If we have access to data on the results of these markets it should also allow us to get a better grasp of what will happen in future matches.
There is no recommendation we make that skips these two stages. First, we have the betting markets and, then, the odds.
Apps
Mobile compatibility is essential in this day and age for an all round positive betting experience (because we are often on the move, on a commute, out in a park, etc). It is unlikely that someone would whip out a laptop on a train or bus just to search for upcoming or ongoing matches and place bets; that would look odd.
That’s why mobile apps are the way to go when betting on the go is needed. They integrate seamlessly with our smartphones and provide the same features as the desktop version. Hence, we can bet, follow live streams, find in-play bets, and review markets without picking up a laptop.
Our recommended bookies for the Rugby World Cup must score high points in their mobile applications. That ranges from usability to features and integration with multiple smartphones and their operating systems.
The application should also feature other Rugby competitions like the Six Nations Championships, Premiership, etc.
Live Streaming
In-play bets offer an advantage over betting on upcoming matches. You can review a team's performance in the game or other competitions and make a more informed prediction. Although that doesn’t guarantee success 100% of the time, you’ll be more informed when you place those bets.
Live streaming is a non-negotiable feature on our checklist before choosing and recommending a platform. Also, the feature should be available on the website and mobile application to ensure versatility. Once availability is confirmed, we can test its reliability and the sports it is available for.
Often, real-time streaming is available for select sports and matches. We could excuse that, provided it is available for the Rugby World Cup.
Bonuses
Promotions may not be among the primary requirements for betting, but they enhance the experience and add value. Some sites offer free bets, while others return certain losing bets to customers under preset terms and conditions. So, we add bonuses to our selection process to ensure you try to get the most bang for your buck.
Bonuses are common at most online bookies, but the terms and conditions determine their value. Our team thoroughly reviews these terms and requirements to ensure that they are fair. We go for bookies that have flexible and good value bonuses.
What is the Rugby World Cup?
The Rugby World Cup is the premier men’s international Rugby Union tournament held every four years. It is a contest among the top international teams overseen by World Rugby, the sport’s global governing body. The winning team will walk away with the Webb Ellis Cup, named after the man believed to have invented the game.
This tournament has four pools, A, B, C, and D, each with five teams, making up a total of 20 competing teams. However, from its inception in 1987, the early years had 16 participating teams. Things become exciting during the qualification stages.
Twelve teams, including the top three from the previous tournament pool, have automatic qualification as seeded teams. The remaining eight teams will qualify based on their regions.
So, we have eight slots for Europe, five for Oceania, three for Americans, and one for Asians. Then, we’ll get an intercontinental play-off for the last slot.
The Rugby World Cup takes six weeks, with twenty teams competing in two stages: the pool and knockout rounds. Eight teams enter the knockout rounds of the quarterfinals, semi-finals, and final match. There are enough opportunities to get your bets in before the final whistle.
The Six Nations Championships is another event that influences the World Cup. It involves six nations: England, Wales, Italy, Scotland, France, and Ireland.
So, what bets are available in the Rugby World Cup? Let’s jump into that in the following section before we explore how to bet and some gambling strategies.
What Types of Bets on Rugby World Cup
Like football and other sports tournaments, the Rugby World Cup has specific bets before and during the event. You can bet before the tournament begins or as the teams compete. Whichever you decide, here are a few bet types you can place during the tournament:
Top Try Scorer
This bet involves picking the player with the most tries in the tournament or match. It is often available before the game or match begins. So, you must place your bet before the game begins. It is not impossible to bet on this market in-play but it is unlikely.
Top Points Scorer
The top points scorer bet is the same as the leading try scorer bet, but this time, it involves points from any method. That means predicting the player that will grab the most points from tries, conversions, penalties, and drop goals.
Rugby World Cup Tournament Winner
This bet is straightforward and involves predicting which team will win the World Cup. Fortunately, most sportsbooks, especially the ones we recommend, offer the bet with stats on past winners. You can learn about and analyse team strengths before backing one team. Once the tournament begins this market will not always be available, it is likely to be repriced after each days games and then removed again just before the next days begin.
First Try Scorer
This bet is available for the tournament but is also common in individual matches. It involves predicting which player will score a point or points on the first try in the game. That could be a penalty try or a touchdown try.
For example, you can predict which Wales player will score the first try in the game against Fiji. The same thing applies to Australia against Georgia or any other matches.
First Scoring Play
There are four ways to score a point in this game: a try, a penalty try, a drop goal, and a penalty kick. The first scoring play involves predicting which play will be the first to score points in a match. Also, it is a pre-match bet.
Match Result
This bet is straightforward and involves predicting the winning team. There’s no need to predict scores or a specific outcome. Nevertheless, the odds are often lower than predicting specifics like points.
How to Bet on Rugby World Cup
Betting on Rugby is one way to enjoy the tournament and stand a chance of winning real cash. Here are the steps to place bets on the contest or individual matches:
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Pick a reputable online sportsbook from our recommended list. You can follow the links we’ve provided to open their official websites.
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Register with the bookmaker as a new player to be eligible for real-money gambling. Opt in for any sign-up promotion and enter the promo code if relevant.
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Fund your betting account with the amount you want to bet with. Ensure that you adhere to the deposit requirements of the bookmaker and the payment method you use.
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Go to the sports section, often on the left screen on desktop sites, and click “Rugby Union.” Some bookies will only have “Rugby” as the available sport name.
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Click on “Futures” to open the futures section. This will change once the tournament begins. Then, you can find the Rugby World Cup directly
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Click on a match to open the betting markets.
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Pick your preferred market and the best odds. Add it to your bet slip.
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Enter the stake to see the estimated returns. You can also enter a promo code if available.
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Confirm the bet and place it.
Rugby World Cup Betting Strategies
We understand that anything can happen on match days. However, that doesn’t mean you should abandon your bets to fate and avoid steps that can boost your chances. The following are strategies that can increase your chances of success when gambling on the Rugby World Cup:
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Take time to learn about the participating teams, players, and coaches. They are vital in determining the team's performance and results throughout the tournament. Fortunately, some bookies, like those mentioned here, have sections to learn about teams and players.
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Stick with markets that you are familiar with. Avoid betting on an unfamiliar market because it has higher betting odds.
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Don’t chase losses by gambling higher amounts to recover. You could lose both bets and lose even more cash.
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Use promotions to boost your gambling. There are many promotions for new and existing customers.
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Set a budget for gambling on the tournament, and don’t exceed it. This amount should be something that you can comfortably deposit without affecting your finances.
Rugby World Cup Betting Apps
Apps and mobile sites provide versatility and mobility. You can follow the games, review the markets, and place stakes even when on the go. Hence, they are indispensable to the gambling experience.
Fortunately, the sites we recommend have gambling apps for iOS and Android users. Let’s review them and see how to use them to bet on the Rugby World Cup.
Rugby World Cup - Unibet Betting App
Unibet has over 16 million customers on the desktop, mobile, and application platforms. Its prominent features include:
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Secure and reliable payment options include PayPal, Paysafecard, and Interac.
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In-play and streaming features
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Suggested combos and trending bets
Rugby World Cup - BetUK Betting App
BetUK’s gambling site is available on mobile browsers. However, you can install the application on your smartphone for a more seamless experience. It has many features to get you through the tournament without missing anything.
You can register, deposit, and place bets on the BetUK app without the desktop version. Other features of the application include:
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Streaming services
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In-play betting
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Bonuses
Rugby World Cup - 888Sport Betting App
The dark background on the 888Sport gambling app may not be visually appealing. However, the application has features that make its visuals the least of your concerns. You’ll find the following features to boost your bets during the tournament and beyond:
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A "favourites" feature to add your preferred matches
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Live heat map to help with in-play betting
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Coupon navigation and a search bar
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Biometric security login with fingerprint
Rugby World Cup - William Hill Betting App
The mobile app is also available to give you flexibility on the go, with support to review markets and place bets. It can do everything the desktop version can, from viewing your bet slip to in-play gambling and live TV. You can change the price format from decimal to fraction or American and place bets in your preferred style.
Features on the William Hill betting app include:
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Live TV
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Live scores
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Push notifications to keep you updated
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Statistics
Rugby World Cup - Betway Betting App
Betway offers an all-around experience on multiple devices thanks to its responsive platform. The bookmaker is available through browsers and a mobile application, each offering the same thing but in a different layout. However, the mobile application gives versatility, as you can bet on games even when commuting.
The features include:
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Live streaming
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Live statistics
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Cash out and partial cash out
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In-play gambling
All Payment Methods at Rugby World Cup Sportsbooks
Payments fuel the gambling experience, and financial services process them. We’ve identified the common payment methods at all Rugby World Cup sportsbooks, especially those listed here. You may have other local options, but the following should be available:
Visa Debit Cards
Visa debit cards provide a convenient way to deposit and withdraw from sportsbooks. You can use them for tournaments, including the Rugby World Cup, the Six Nations Championships, the Premiership, etc.
This payment method has the advantage of being directly linked to your bank account. Hence, you'll get the money into your account when you win a bet.
PayPal
PayPal is a secure e-wallet that is reliable for online sportsbook transactions. It efficiently handles deposits and withdrawals, processing the latter within 24 hours. That’s why it’s among the most popular payment methods for experienced and new players.
Skrill
This payment option has a broad international presence, hence its popularity in online bookies. You can use it to deposit money into your account and bet on the Rugby World Cup. Skrill can also handle withdrawals efficiently, processing transactions within a day.
paysafecard
paysafecard is the best voucher merchant for online payments, as its vouchers are accepted in thousands of online stores. You can use it to fund your sportsbook account and bet on games. In addition, the payment method can process withdrawals into your Paysafecard account, ready for withdrawal at any eligible ATM.
Rugby World Cup Betting Offers
While the teams step onto the field to vie for the cup, punters will have their fair share of offers. Sportsbooks have already started rolling out offers to returning and new players before and during the tournament. You can get the following:
Free Bets
You can be granted Free bets at any time but they are probably most common as a form of Welcome bonus. When you have been credited these you can bet (on an eligible market, sometimes they can be used on anything but not always) and there is no money taken from your balance. This Free bet, should it win, will have the winnings (but not the stake) returned to your betting account balance. If it loses then nothing happens.
Rewards
Rewards can come in many forms, including cashback, free gifts, tickets to sporting events and more. You usually need to be either be a VIP player or bet regularly to access and enjoy these offers. Some rewards come from Bet Clubs where the requirements to qualify are known in advance but sometimes it is a mystery why certain customers are treated and others are not.
Price Boosts
Sportsbooks can boost the odds of your selection to give you better payouts. Sometimes they enhance the prices of pre selected bets and sometimes you are given a token to use on your betslip to boost whatever bet you want to.
Sign Up Offers
These are not a type of bonus as such they are simply when and why you are given a bonus at all. Sign up offers can comprise of any of the above, Free bets, Rewards, or Price Boosts.
Rugby World Cup Betting Odds
As we wrap up this piece for the tournament, let’s explore the Rugby World Cup odds 2023. They will change in the run-up to and especially during the tournament. The odds in the table below can be used as a starting point but you must double check them to make sure they are valid still. Also we have just listed a few of the most popular bets, you can explore the sportsbooks for others.
|
Name of Odds |
Country |
Odds |
Bookmaker |
Visit Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Rugby World Cup Winner |
South Africa |
5.5 |
BetUK |
|
|
Pool A winner |
New Zealand |
1.909 |
888Sports |
|
|
Match Winner |
France |
1.84 |
Unibet |
|
|
Match winner |
England |
1.17 |
William Hill |
|
|
Rugby World Cup Winner |
New Zeland |
3.6 |
Betway |
|
Rugby World Cup 2023 Betting Tips
We’ve got some tips before you dive in and start betting on the Rugby World Cup. You don’t have to leave your bets to chance, hoping for a miracle. Instead, make conscious efforts to maximise your chances.
Here are our recommended gambling tips:
Study Past Results
Review the form of any team you want to back in the tournament. Check their previous performances, injury metrics, player scoring rates, coach, and more. These factors can affect their ability to win a match. Competitions you can study include past World Cups, the Six Nations Championships, and other international matches.
Find Value in Handicap Markets
All markets have favourites and underdogs, adding a handicap levels the playing field. They can be used to increase the odds betting on a team you are certain will win, as long as they win by enough.
Understand the Format (Type of odds)
Understanding the odds displayed is essential to knowing the value of those odds. Fortunately, sportsbooks allow players to change the odds format from decimal to fractional or American. Change to a format you are familiar with before placing any bets.
Watch Out for Big Tournament Promotions
Promotions during competitions can offer more betting power by boosting your bankroll. Watch out and grab them, especially those for new customers. These are not essential but it will at the very least increase the value of your bets and whilst they do not mean you will definitely win you will lose more slowly for sure.
Don’t Chase Losses
Inexperienced gamblers often try to recover losses almost immediately. However, this can be counterproductive, leading to more losses because the bets are impulsive and not thought through.
Avoid increasing subsequent bets when you lose one. Unless it is part of your preset gambling strategy, look for ways to reduce your bets and increase your playing time. Avoid chasing losses, but have fun with the games and bets wagered.
Winners of the Past Rugby World Cup Finals
This prestigious competition began in 1987, and several countries have lifted the cup. The table below contains the past winners:
Previous Rugby World Cup Winners are:
|
Year |
Winning Team |
Runners-Up |
|---|---|---|
|
2019 |
South Africa |
England |
|
2015 |
New Zealand |
Australia |
|
2011 |
New Zealand |
France |
|
2007 |
South Africa |
England |
|
2003 |
England |
Australia |
|
1999 |
Australia |
France |
|
1995 |
South Africa |
New Zealand |
|
1991 |
Australia |
England |
|
1987 |
New Zealand |
France |
Rugby World Cup 2023 Top Favorites
France, New Zealand, and South Africa are among the favourites to clinch the converted cup and become the 2023 winners. The other teams following closely behind are England and Ireland. Notwithstanding, we won’t be surprised if an underdog like Wales or Australia upstages them in the tournament.
Rugby World Cup Predictions
France and New Zealand are the top favourites to win the tournament. However, they are in the same pool and are set to open the World Cup with the first match. South Africa will enter the competition with the advantage of being the title holder, and it has proven formidable in recent games.
This tournament’s winning team (country) might boil down to South Africa, England, France, New Zealand, and Ireland. Nevertheless, we can't rule out Australia and Wales. You can use the Six Nations Championships to access the teams.
The 2023 Rugby World Cup will not be easy for any team. However, we can expect many exciting wins and heartbreaking losses along the way.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Rugby World Cup is the premier men’s international Rugby Union tournament held every four years. It is a contest among the top international teams overseen by World Rugby, the sport’s global governing body.
Yes, you can bet on the Rugby World Cup, but you need a sportsbook. An online sportsbook allows you to bet on matches and other outcomes in sports competitions.
The tournament is featured in many online sportsbooks in the UK. However, after reviewing their features and minimum odds, we have recommended the best. Follow our links to place your bets.
The best Rugby World Cup betting sites offer extensive gambling markets, promotions, live streaming, in-play bets, statistics, etc. Also, they feature other tournaments like the Six Nations Championships. You can review our recommended list to get started.
France, New Zealand, and South Africa are among the favourites to clinch the converted cup and become the 2023 winners. The other teams following closely behind are England and Ireland.
We’ve recommended the best Rugby World Cup betting and odds and included the sportsbooks. Refer to the previous section to find the links.
Odds reveal how much money you must stake in a match or outcome to earn a specific amount. It also shows the bookmakers' position on the outcome. New customers can change the odds format to their preference.
Yes, betting on the Rugby World Cup is legal. However, you must bet on licenced online sportsbooks to be safe. We have recommended sites for new customers.
You can watch the Rugby World Cup 2023 on cable TV. Alternatively, you can live-stream them on supported sportsbooks while placing bets or waiting to cash out.
