Who are the favourites to win the 2023 Rugby World Cup?

Ireland go into another Rugby World Cup and expectations are as lofty as ever as they look to break new ground at the sport's showpiece event.

It won't be easy, it never is. The nature of the draw means there is no guarantee of this assembly of players being the first to win a knockout game in a green shirt - let alone going on to win the whole thing.

There are plenty of sides who could provide real pain for Ireland in their quest for glory. But who are the biggest obstacles?

Tournament hosts and tournament favourites, France will stake some stopping at this year's battle for the Webb Ellis Cup.

Ireland's greatest foe - and kryptonite until earlier this year - during the Andy Farrell era, Les Bleus have been exceptional during their Fabien Galthie-led revival.

Aware of his nation's blossoming talent pool, Galthie took a punt on youth and it has more than paid off thus far in their bid to achieve what many French will feel is World Cup destiny.

One of the few things Farrell has been unable to do as Ireland boss is succeed on French soil. He may need to change that fact if Ireland are to reach the final four. He almost certainly will, if Ireland are to make the final.

France are without star out-half Romain Ntamack. But they remain guided by Antoine Dupont - the best player on the planet and crown jewel of an exciting backline - and a deadly pack.

The odds are in France's favour - who will have the benefit of vociferous home support. It is easy to see why.

Winners in 2019, South Africa's stock ahead of that event was not as high as it is right now.

The Springboks have cracked on from that World Cup win in Japan, besting the Lions in their three-Test series in 2021.

Power has been the name of the game for the Boks, whose 'Bomb Squad' proved so crucial in muscling their way to global glory four years ago.

The philosophy has not changed, with head coach Jacques Nienaber and director of rugby Rassie Erasmus hopeful their immense power can prove fruitful again.

A 7/1 replacements bench split between forwards and backs in their record defeat of New Zealand on Kiwi soil has provided an indication of what is to come. They have been increasingly prolific in attack, too.

Ireland will meet South Africa in the group stages on September 23. Avoiding key injuries will be on the agenda, while a win could determine who tops the pool. They are a daunting challenge, to say the least.

The air of invincibility around the all-conquering All Blacks has diminished this World Cup cycle. Uncertainty in terms of leadership and some shaky results have shown real chinks in their armour.

Nevertheless, amidst all the uncertainty they have managed to claim consecutive Rugby Championship trophies.

Their recent home humiliation at the hands of South Africa has created some unease, a defeat to go with the 2022 Test series losses to Ireland on home soil and subsequent shock defeat to Argentina in Christchurch.

However, this is still New Zealand we are talking about. Following that defeat to the Pumas, they won 10 of 11 Test with a draw away to England their only setback.

They have won two of the last three World Cups, and three in total. No other nation has won more.

Former Ireland coach Joe Schmidt has improved their play since being installed as attack coach, and will be keen to inflict misery on his former nation. Beating the All Blacks is never easy.

While there are four clear favourites: France, South Africa, New Zealand and Ireland, the nature of the draw has created potential for a surprise.

All four of those aforementioned sides are in one-half of the draw. In fact, Ireland's half features the world's top five - a farcical outcome due to the fact the draw was made so long ago.

The other side of the draw is wide open. England's woes, Australia's run of defeats and Wales' demise has seen all three former powerhouses drop to eighth, ninth and tenth respectively in the World Rugby rankings.

Yet, it is conceivable that one of those sides will reach the final on October 28. Argentina however, will have designs on stopping them.

The Pumas have a history of performing well at World Cups - as Ireland know all too well about. Now sixth in the world, they are the highest ranked side in their section of the draw.

Keep an eye out for Michael Cheika's men. It wouldn't be a massive shock to see them in the decider.