Rugby World Cup 2023 is rapidly approaching, with a few days until the opening game. Rugby.com.au examines every team's chances in France, looking at Portugal.
Portugal will return to the World Cup for the first time since 2007.
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They were the final team to book their spot in the tournament, leaving it literally until the end when a penalty after the siren secured a draw against the USA.
‘Os Lobos’ have a good young core of players that have slowly infiltrated the French leagues and are reaping the benefits.
Former French flyer Patrice Lagisquet has the team playing an exciting brand of Rugby eager to cause disruption in the quest for their first win.
Won the final Qualifier after beating Kenya and Hong Kong before an 82nd min penalty gave them a draw against USA, qualifying on points difference
Portugal have continued their hot streak after qualifying for the World Cup at the end of last year.
They showed they belonged on the big stage after finishing second in the Rugby Europe Championship, going down to Georgia in the Final.
Portugal then went one better against the USA, taking a convincing 46-20 victory.
Portugal have confirmed their squad for the World Cup, largely based in France.
Star winger Raffaele Storti is one of 17 to ply their trade in the French league as they prepare to return to the World Cup for the first time in 16 years.
Jeronimo Portela will follow in his father’s footsteps and play at a Rugby World Cup, having been named as one of the two fly-halves selected by head coach Patrice Lagisquet
Backs: Joao Belo, Pedro Lucas, Samuel Marques, Jeronimo Portela, Joris Moura, Jose Lima, Tomas Appleton, Pedro Bettencourt, Rodrigo Marta, Vincent Pinto, Manuel Cardoso Pinto, Raffaelle Storti, Nuno Sousa Guedes, Simao Bento
Forwards: António Machado Santos, David Costa, Diogo Hasse Ferreira, Francisco Fernandes, Francisco Bruno, Anthony Alves, Duarte Diniz, Lionel Campergue, Mike Tadjer, Duarte Torgal, José Madeira, José Maria Rebelo Andrade, Steevy Cerqueira, Martim Belo, Nicolas Martins, Rafael Simoes, Joao Granate, Thibault de Freitas, David Wallis.
Nuno Sousa Guedes is the mastermind behind Portugal’s exciting attack.
The 29-year-old was influential in their run to the Rugby Europe Final, and eventually voted Player of the Tournament.
He has the capability to pull off unbelievable pieces of skill, needing to conquer up some magic if they want their first World Cup victory
It’s only a matter of time before a big team picks up sensational winger Rodrigo Marta.
Marta is only 23 but already is Portugal’s leading try-scorer all-time with 25 in 30 caps.
He tore up Nationale - the French third division - with 15 tries to help Dax earn promotion to ProD2. A strong tournament will only accelerate his rise up the ranks.
Played: 4
Wins: 0
Loses: 4 Best Finish: Group Stages
2019: DNQ
2015: DNQ
2011: DNQ
2007: Group Stages
2003: DNQ
Georgia looms as their best chance of a maiden World Cup win.
In a rematch of this year’s Europe Rugby Championships, Portugal will be out for revenge, trailing by just one at the break before the Georgians ran away with the match.
Portugal has tasted success before against Georgia, winning four of their 25 matches.
Sun Sep 17 (1:45 AM): Wales v Portugal, Stade de Nice, Nice
Sat Sep 23 (10:00 PM): Georgia v Portugal, Stadium de Toulouse, Toulouse
Mon Oct 2 (2:45 AM): Australia v Portugal, Stade Geoffroy Guichard, Saint-Étienne
Mon Oct 9 (6:00 AM): Fiji v Portugal, Stadium de Toulouse, Toulouse
