The 2023 Rugby World Cup was held in France from 8 September to 28 October 2023. Twenty teams qualified and each named an initial squad of 33 players, two more than at the previous World Cup. Squads were submitted before the tournament, and replacement players could be added during the tournament on injury grounds.
Note: The age and number of caps listed for each player is as of 8 September 2023, the first day of the tournament.
Pool A New Zealand New Zealand announced their squad on 7 August 2023.
1 On 10 September 2023, Emoni Narawa was ruled out of the World Cup, after sustaining a back injury. He was replaced in the New Zealand squad by Ethan Blackadder.
Head coach: Ian Foster
France France announced their squad on 21 August 2023.
1 On 1 September 2023, Paul Willemse was ruled out of the World Cup, after sustaining a thigh injury. He was replaced in the France squad by Bastien Chalureau
Head coach: Fabien Galthié
Italy Italy announced their squad on 22 August 2023.
1 On 24 September 2023, Luca Bigi was ruled out of the World Cup, after sustaining a leg injury. He was replaced in the Italy squad by Marco Manfredi.
2 On 1 October 2023, Paolo Buonfiglio was called up to replace the injured Danilo Fischetti .
Head coach: Kieran Crowley
Uruguay Uruguay announced their final squad on 21 August 2023.
Head coach: Esteban Meneses
Namibia Namibia announced their squad on 28 August 2023.
1 On 6 September 2023, Chad Plato was ruled out of the World Cup, after sustaining a thigh injury. He was replaced in the Namibia squad by TC Kisting.
2 On 17 September 2023, Le Roux Malan was ruled out of the World Cup, after sustaining an ankle injury. He was replaced in the Namibia squad by Lloyd Jacobs.
Head coach: Allister Coetzee
Pool B
South Africa South Africa announced their squad on 8 August 2023.
1 On 14 September 2023, Malcolm Marx was ruled out of the World Cup, after sustaining a knee injury. He was replaced in the South Africa squad by Handré Pollard.
2 On 2 October 2023, Makazole Mapimpi was ruled out of the World Cup, after sustaining a fractured eye socket. He was replaced in the South Africa squad by Lukhanyo Am.
Head coach: Jacques Nienaber
Ireland Ireland announced their final squad on 27 August 2023.
Head coach: Andy Farrell
Scotland Scotland announced their squad on 16 August 2023.
1 On 14 September 2023, Dave Cherry was ruled out of the World Cup, after a concussion injury. He was replaced by Stuart McInally.
2 On 24 September 2023, Stuart McInally was replaced by Johnny Matthews, after a neck injury.
Head coach: Gregor Townsend
Tonga Tonga announced their final squad on 21 August 2023.
1 On 18 September 2023, Feao Fotuaika and Otumaka Mausia were ruled out of the World Cup, after sustaining various injuries. They were replaced in the Tonga squad by Siate Tokolahi and Patrick Pellegrini.
2 On 29 September 2023, Siua Maile and Solomone Funaki were ruled out of the World Cup, after sustaining various injuries. They were replaced in the Tonga squad by Sione Angaʻaelangi and Penitoa Finau.
Head coach: Toutai Kefu
Romania Romania announced their squad on 16 August 2023.
1 On 28 August 2023, Mihai Macovei, Mihai Mureșan and Paul Popoaia were replaced by André Gorin, Sioeli Lama and Taliaʻuli Sikuea due to injuries.
2 On 19 September 2023, Romania replaced Gabriel Pop, Taylor Gontineac and Hinckley Vaovasa with Luca Nichitean, Mihai Graure and Alexandru Bucur because of various injuries.
Head coach: Eugen Apjok
Pool C
Wales Wales announced their final squad on 21 August 2023.
1 On 7 October 2023, Taulupe Faletau was ruled out of the World Cup, after sustaining a broken arm. He was replaced in the Wales squad by Kieran Hardy.
Head coach: Warren Gatland
Australia Australia announced their final squad on 10 August 2023.
1 On 21 September 2023, Max Jorgensen was ruled out of the World Cup, after sustaining a broken leg.
Head coach: Eddie Jones
Fiji Fiji announced their squad on 8 August 2023.
1 On 1 September 2023, Caleb Muntz was ruled out of the World Cup, after sustaining a knee injury. He was replaced in the Fiji squad by Vilimoni Botitu.
2 On 25 September 2023, Jone Koroiduadua was ruled out of the Rugby World Cup, after sustaining an injury. He was replaced in the Fiji squad by Emosi Tuqiri.
3 On 11 October 2023, Temo Mayanavanua was ruled out of the Rugby World Cup, after sustaining an injury. He was replaced in the Fiji squad by Api Ratuniyarawa.
Head coach: Simon Raiwalui
Georgia Georgia announced their final squad on 28 August 2023.
1 On 27 September 2023, Beka Gorgadze was ruled out of the World Cup, after sustaining an ankle injury. He was replaced in the Georgia squad by Otar Giorgadze. Later that day, Luka Japaridze left the Georgia squad, after sustaining a back injury. He was replaced by Irakli Aptsiauri.
2 On 2 October 2023, Tengiz Zamtaradze, Mirian Modebadze and Lasha Jaiani were ruled out of the World Cup, after sustaining various injuries. They were replaced in the Georgia squad by Vano Karkadze, Otar Lashkhi and Mikheil Babunashvili.
Head Coach: Levan Maisashvili
Portugal Portugal announced their final squad on 28 August 2023.
Head coach: Patrice Lagisquet
Pool D
England England announced their initial squad on 7 August 2023.
1 On 14 August 2023, Jack van Poortvliet was ruled out of the World Cup, after sustaining an ankle injury. He was replaced in the England squad by Alex Mitchell.
2 On 27 August 2023, Anthony Watson was ruled out of the World Cup, after sustaining a calf injury. He was replaced in the England squad by Jonny May.
3 On 5 October 2023, Jack Willis was ruled out of the World Cup, after sustaining a neck injury. He was replaced in the England squad by Sam Underhill.
Head coach: Steve Borthwick
Japan On 15 August 2023, Japan named an initial 30-player squad for the World Cup, with three players remaining to be added. On 18 August 2023, Warner Dearns, Amanaki Saumaki and Lappies Labuschagné were added to complete the 33-player squad.
1 On 18 August 2023, James Moore was replaced by Uwe Helu.
2 On 29 August 2023, Uwe Helu and Shōgo Nakano were withdrawn due to performance issues and replaced by Amato Fakatava and Kanji Shimokawa.
3 On 19 September 2023, Semisi Masirewa was replaced, after a leg injury, by Ryohei Yamanaka.
Head Coach: Jamie Joseph
Argentina Argentina announced their final squad on 7 August 2023.
1 On 22 August 2023, Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro was ruled out of the World Cup, after sustaining an injury. He was replaced in the Argentina squad by Mayco Vivas.
2 On 27 August 2023, Santiago Grondona was ruled out of the World Cup, after sustaining an injury. He was replaced in the Argentina squad by Joaquín Oviedo.
3 On 9 October 2023, Pablo Matera was ruled out of the World Cup, after sustaining a hamstring injury. He was replaced in the Argentina squad by Lucas Paulos.
Head coach: Michael Cheika
Samoa Samoa announced their final squad on 28 August 2023.
1 On 18 September 2023, Luteru Tolai was ruled out of the World Cup, after sustaining a knee injury. He was replaced in the Samoa squad by Ray Niuia.
Head coach: Seilala Mapusua
Chile Chile announced their final squad on 27 August 2023.
1 On 8 September 2023, Nicolás Garafulic was ruled out of the World Cup, after sustaining an injury. He was replaced in the Chile squad by Cristóbal Game Jiménez.
Head coach: Pablo Lemoine
Statistics All statistics relate to the initial 33-man squads named before the start of the tournament on 8 September 2023, and do not include players who joined a squad during the tournament. Four squads have all of their players attached to clubs based within their home country: France, Ireland, Japan and New Zealand. One squad has none of their players attached to clubs based within their home country: Tonga.
Player representation by club A total of 142 different clubs are represented across the 660 players named for the World Cup.
The club sides with the most players represented across the 20 squads are as follows:
Players Clubs 28 Selknam 21 Peñarol 20 Benetton 19 Moana Pasifika 18 Leinster 17 Fijian Drua / Toulouse 16 Edinburgh 15 Black Lion / Glasgow Warriors 13 Saracens / Saitama Wild Knights 11 La Rochelle / Toulon
Player representation by league League Players Percent Total 660 — United Rugby Championship ( / / / / ) 132 20.0% Top 14 () 106 16.0% Super Rugby ( / / ) 106 16.0% Premiership Rugby () 64 9.6% Japan Rugby League One () 50 7.6% Super Rugby Americas ( / ) 49 7.4% Pro D2 () 32 4.8% Liga Națională de Rugby () 24 3.6% European Professional Club Rugby ( / ) 17 2.6% Campeonato Português de Rugby () 16 2.4% Championnat Fédéral Nationale / Fédérale 1, 2, 3 () 14 2.1% Major League Rugby () 10 1.5% Other ( / / / / / / / / / / ) 31 4.7% Unattached 9 1.4%
Player representation by nation UnionPlayersPercentOthernationalsquadTotal660—— Argentina10.2%0 Australia324.93 Chile304.6%— England649.7%36 Fiji172.6%— France15523.5%122 Georgia162.4%— Ireland375.6%5 Italy284.2%6 Japan507.6%17 Namibia91.4%— New Zealand578.6%24 Portugal162.4%— Romania243.6%1 Samoa20.3%— Scotland314.7%3 South Africa243.6%7 Uruguay253.8%— Wales233.5%3Other00.0%13Unattached71.1%—
Average age of squads The age for each player listed below is their age on 8 September 2023, the day that the World Cup begins. The oldest player at the tournament is P. J. van Lill (Namibia), at the age of 39. The youngest player at the tournament is Max Jorgensen (Australia), at the age of 19. The age gap between the oldest and youngest players is 20 years and 272 days. NationAvg. AgeOldest playerYoungest player Argentina28Agustín Creevy ()Pedro Rubiolo () Australia25James Slipper ()Max Jorgensen () Chile27Pablo Huete ()Lukas Carvallo () England28Danny Care ()Henry Arundell () Fiji27Levani Botia ()Sireli Maqala () France27Uini Atonio ()Louis Bielle-Biarrey () Georgia27Alexander Todua ()Tornike Kakhoidze () Ireland29Johnny Sexton ()Joe McCarthy () Italy27Federico Zani ()Lorenzo Pani () Japan29Shōta Horie ()Warner Dearns () Namibia28P. J. van Lill ()Oela Blaauw () New Zealand27Dane Coles ()Cam Roigard () Portugal27Francisco Fernandes ()Simão Bento () Romania27Florin Surugiu ()Mihai Mureșan () Samoa29Charlie Faumuina ()Miracle Faiʻilagi () Scotland28WP Nel ()Ollie Smith () South Africa30Duane Vermeulen ()Canan Moodie () Tonga29Siegfried Fisiʻihoi ()Kyren Taumoefolau () Uruguay26Matías Benítez ()Santiago Álvarez () Wales28Dan Lydiate ()Dafydd Jenkins ()
Squad caps NationCapsMost capped playerLeast capped player New Zealand1524 England1476 Argentina1454 South Africa1369 Ireland1332 Wales1297 Georgia1246 Scotland1037 Uruguay1019 Portugal840 France835 Italy746 Romania681 Australia668 Japan660 Chile575 Namibia563 Tonga407 Fiji374 Samoa297
Previous World Cup experience
By matches PlayerRWC Matches Sam Whitelock19 James Slipper18 George North16 Dan Cole15 Agustín Creevy Keith Earls14 Ben Youngs Damian de Allende13 Eben Etzebeth Michael Leitch Conor Murray Handré Pollard
By tournaments PlayerWorld Cups Dan Cole3 Agustín Creevy Keith Earls Shota Horie Lasha Khmaladze Courtney Lawes Michael Leitch Conor Murray George North Nicolás Sánchez Johnny Sexton James Slipper Alexander Todua P. J. van Lill Sam Whitelock Ben Youngs
Nationality changes between World Cups The following players selected for a 2023 Rugby World Cup squad represented a different nation at a previous World Cup: PlayerNation at previous World CupNation at current World CupCharlie Faumuina New Zealand (2015) Samoa (2023)Malakai Fekitoa New Zealand (2015) Tonga (2023)Adam Coleman Australia (2019) Tonga (2023)Jack Dempsey Australia (2019) Scotland (2023)Jean Kleyn Ireland (2019) South Africa (2023)Christian Leali'ifano Australia (2019) Samoa (2023)
References