World beaters.

Ireland are now the subject of bookmaker quotes ranging between 3/1 and 4/1 in the outright betting on the 2019 Rugby World Cup following a historic first-ever home win over union’s reigning global kings New Zealand.

The All Blacks, who have readily landed the last two editions of the tournament, have been lengthened to odds against for the hat-trick at a best price of 6/5. It is the biggest price they have been for a fourth Rugby World Cup success in Japan next autumn.

Joe Schmidt’s Irish side have now beaten the Southern Hemisphere heavyweights in two of their last three encounters – breaking new ground with a 40-29 triumph at Soldier Field in Chicago back in November 2016.

Although then defeated 21-9 a fortnight later when taking New Zealand back to Dublin, when the sides met again at the Aviva Stadium during the 2018 Autumn Internationals a heroic rearguard action from the hosts and Jacob Stockdale’s try was enough for a memorable 16-9 victory.

This win is all the more remarkable when you consider Schmidt was without key scrum half Conor Murray, who carries a considerable try threat from his half back berth. Other key forwards in the Irish pack were also absent, so they were far from full strength.

As Ireland didn’t even concede a point in the second half of their most recent win over the All Blacks, they have clearly laid down a major marker in their bid to win a first Rugby World Cup. The 2018 Six Nations Grand Slam champions must now be regarded as serious contenders for global glory.

Bookies reacted to this sensational result by making Schmidt’s side odds-on favourites to retain their Six Nations crown in the spring. The Irish are also 3/1 to replicate their Grand Slam triumph in the 2019 edition.

A market is also open on who will make the Rugby World Cup final, and Ireland against New Zealand is now viewed as the most likely outcome at 4/1. They are also long odds-on to win Pool A at the tournament, which will also contain hosts Japan, fellow British Isles outfit Scotland, Russia and Pacific Islands nation Samoa.

While you should go here to the best UK Betting Sites, expect to find offers aplenty around the Irish and the Rugby World Cup in the build-up to it. The tournament starts on 20 September with the final taking place on 2 November.

Ulster wing Stockdale, 22, has now scored a dozen tries in just 14 caps for Ireland and the 2018 Six Nations player of the tournament will only see his stock rise for his latest crossing. Given the absentees noted above, Schmidt looks to have real strength in depth.

The All Blacks may remain dominant in their own Rugby Championship but, as a drawn series when the British and Irish Lions were on tour in 2017 demonstrated, they are not unbeatable. New Zealand also suffered a recent shock home loss to South Africa and England were within a point of scalping them at Twickenham prior to the Irish reverse.

Everything is now nicely poised for a potential rematch in Japan. Steve Hansen’s Kiwis are 1/6 at best to win their Pool at the Rugby World Cup finals with confirmed group stage opposition including the Springboks, Namibia and Italy.