Australia laid down a marker against Georgia in Paris... but the Rugby World Cup's Pool C qualifiers aren't as straightforward as many think

Whether it be Australia's five straight losses in 2023 or Wales' second-last place finish at this year's Six Nations, the two traditional international rugby powerhouses are a shell of the teams they once were.

While both nations enter this year's Rugby World Cup in terrible form - most believe they will progress to the tournament's quarter-finals due to the perceived lack of competitive teams that exist in Pool C.

The Wallabies are 1/2 to win the pool and 1/16 to secure one of the two qualifying spots, while Wales are the second-favourites in the market at 5/2 to finish top and 2/5 to book their fourth-consecutive quarter-final appearance.

Australia and Wales are the two favourites to progress out of Pool C at the Rugby World Cup

The outsiders in Pool C are rugby nations on the rise however, with Fiji having won three of their last four, including a historic 30-22 victory over England. 

Fiji are the third shortest-priced team in the market for Pool C, with Waisea Nayacalevu and Co 6/1 to win it and 6/4 to qualify with Sky Bet. Georgia are much wider odds at 25/1 to qualify and play in their first Rugby World Cup quarter-final in history.

Sky Bet odds to win Pool C:

Australia 1/2

Wales 5/2

Fiji 6/1

Georgia 400/1

Portugal 1000/1