Rugby World Cup: What next for Ireland, Wales after quarter-final exits to New Zealand, Argentina?
Andy Farrell must now lead Ireland into a new era without talismanic captain Johnny Sexton at his side.
We look at what’s next for Ireland and Wales, after suffering extremely disappointing Rugby World Cup quarter-final defeats to New Zealand and Argentina on Saturday…
Ireland say goodbye to stalwarts Sexton and Earls | More to say goodbye soon?
Ireland have had one hell of a draw at this World Cup, but such has been their form over the last two years, their world rankings and the victories they have achieved, many thought this was the best chance of Ireland to win a World Cup. Cup.
In the end, they suffered an agonizing eighth quarter-final in their history and are still waiting to qualify for a World Cup semi-final.
Captain, playmaker and perhaps the greatest player they ever had, Johnny Sexton, retires from the sport after the defeat, while Munster and Ireland legend Keith Earls also retires bow, confirmed head coach Andy Farrell.
An emotional Sexton spoke of his pride in his teammates and Ireland as a nation.
Several other key Bundee campaigners Aki at 33, Peter O’Mahony at 34 and Conor Murray at 34 certainly won’t be around by the time the next World Cup comes in 2027 in Australia, but they’re not going anywhere for the moment.
Even 31-year-old fullbacks Jamison Gibson-Park and James Lowe, as well as 31-year-old lock duo Tadhg Beirne and Iain Henderson could well be withdrawn by Australia. This will be a very different team in four years and will have to go some way to match the quality and performance of this 2023 team.
Six Nations Grand Slammers, New Zealand Test series winners, 17 Test wins in a row, but the World Cup still proved their kryptonite.
âYou have to work hard to get a fairytale ending and we didn’t get there, but that’s life,â an emotional Sexton said after the match. He also praised the talent of the team that will be present.
Dan Sheehan, Ronan Kelleher, Andrew Porter, Caelan Doris and Hugo Keenan, to name just five, are all in their 20s and will now look to guide Ireland into a new era.
Farrell: We will continue to challenge
Ireland head coach Farrell, who repeatedly spoke of his pride in his players after the match, said after the match: “The sad thing for us now is that it’s probably the end for this team. It’s for Johnny, and Keith Earls is going to retire too, things are going to change.
âOver the next 24 hours, itâs time to make sure we get our smiles back as soon as possible and celebrate what have been incredible careers and what they have done for Irish rugby.
âGreat margins and all that. We were blocked on the line because of a maul very close to the end, which could have sealed it.
“In the end, we had two good teams in attendance and playing great rugby. Unfortunately, we came out on the wrong side of the scoreboard. The sport can be cruel, that’s why we love it so much.”
Andy Farrell led Ireland to a Test series victory in New Zealand, the Six Nations Grand Slam and the world No. 1 ranking for more than a year.
Farrell was, however, determined to believe Ireland would be back to challenge for major honours. With the task of finally overcoming the curse of the World Cup quarter-finals no doubt on his mind.
He clearly hurt in the post-match press conference, but Ireland, proud and content, came out on their shield and couldn’t have given more.
âI am immensely proud of everyone connected with Irish rugby. The staff have been immense over the last four years,â Farrell said.
“The players, not just on this team, but the players that we’ve used over the four-year cycle, have been a pleasure to work with. And not only that, the connection with the fans, it seems like that or a big family.
Farrell also said that “the talent we have in Ireland will continue to come through and continue to be challenged, I am sure.”
âIt’s the end for this team because people are going to leave, but the competition that this team has built over the years will continue because of the way it’s been run, certainly over the last two years.
âThe talent we have in Ireland will continue to come forward and be challenged, I have no doubt.â
Gatland: I want to stay and rebuild Wales
After Wales’ hugely disappointing exit to Argentina in Marseille, head coach Warren Gatland admitted there was a clause in his contract that could see him leave, but he vowed to stay and rebuild.
Drawn on the easier side of the draw at this World Cup, Gatland also admitted the defeat felt like a “missed opportunity”.
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Sky Sports’ James Cole reacts to Wales’ World Cup quarter-final defeat to Argentina
âI want to take this group further,â Gatland said after the match. “There is a clause, but I don’t know exactly what the wording is. I haven’t actually read it.
“I absolutely want this group to get through this, but if the Union wants to get rid of me, then they have every right to do so. That’s up to them.
âWe are extremely disappointed because this is a missed opportunity.
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Warren Gatland admits he doesn’t know what’s in his contract regarding his future as Wales head coach
“We weren’t at our best, but we still could have won. We’re gutted that it got away from us.
“The way we trained, we went into this game thinking that if we can be accurate then we can get to the semi-finals. But that wasn’t the case and that’s sport.
“However, I’m incredibly proud of the effort everyone has put in. We’ve made good progress and we need to make sure we continue on this path towards the Six Nations and don’t go backwards. That’s the challenge.
“It’s an exciting group, but we have to learn lessons. We have to ask ourselves ‘how can you improve and grow from this?’ and learn.”