Ireland Drawn Against Scotland, Uruguay, and Portugal for 2027 Rugby World Cup

The draw for the 2027 Rugby World Cup has placed Ireland in a competitive group alongside Scotland, Uruguay, and Portugal. This tournament, hosted in Australia, marks a significant expansion from previous competitions, accommodating 24 teams rather than the 20 that participated in 2023.

Group Stage Breakdown

The tournament will feature six pools, each consisting of four nations. The groups are organized as follows:

– **Pool A**: New Zealand, Australia, Chile, Hong Kong China
– **Pool B**: South Africa, Italy, Georgia, Romania
– **Pool C**: Argentina, Fiji, Spain, Canada
– **Pool D**: Ireland, Scotland, Uruguay, Portugal
– **Pool E**: France, Japan, USA, Samoa
– **Pool F**: England, Wales, Tonga, Zimbabwe

The top two teams from each pool, along with the top four third-placed teams, will advance to the knockout stage, beginning with the round of 16.

Qualification and Seeding

The 2027 Rugby World Cup includes a total of 24 teams, with 12 qualifying automatically based on their performances at the 2023 tournament and the other 12 securing their spots in the recent qualifying rounds. Ireland, ranked among the top seeds, has successfully avoided several of the world’s strongest teams, including South Africa, New Zealand, England, France, and Argentina.

The tournament is set to commence on October 1, 2027, with the final scheduled for November 13, 2027. The inclusion of more teams reflects a growing interest in rugby globally, enhancing the competitiveness and excitement of the event.

As anticipation builds for this prestigious tournament, fans and players alike are eager to see how the expanded format and new group dynamics will unfold on the world stage.