Pool Draw 2027

[Leonormous Boozer]

How does it work beyond the group stage now there are six pools?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2027_Men's_Rugby_World_Cup

Explains it there.

Our route to the final looks like Scotland, Argentina, England / Oz

Best draw we've ever had I reckon. This one is going to hurt

 

[Saintjay]

How does it work beyond the group stage now there are six pools?

For last 16 Winners group E and F face 2nd place teams. Winners group A-D third place teams

In theory the E/F teams then face an easier quarter final to balance it out.

Scotland/Ireland likely to get France in the round of 16 i think.

Clear as mud

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

So who are Ireland likely to lose to in the Quarters?

Argentina? Actually in two years given that this Argentina side might be in their prime and Ireland might be in a weird place in terms of age profile that could be a really good match up

England, Japan/Aus Argentina and Ireland prob the easiest side of the draw.
Ireland have to be eyeing them all up. If they lose to Scotland that would be massive blow to them

 

[Rugbyfan564]

I know we’re two years out but at present, Group C is the only one with a more uncertain outcome. If the age profile of Ireland’s squad starts to become more of a problem then Scotland may close the gap but honestly, 5/6 of the group winners are unlikely to be in serious doubt.

Probably a chance of Australia beating New Zealand with home advantage as well.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

I know we’re two years out but at present, Group C is the only one with a more uncertain outcome. If the age profile of Ireland’s squad starts to become more of a problem then Scotland may close the gap but honestly, 5/6 of the group winners are unlikely to be in serious doubt.

Scotland are on a steeper path down than us tbh.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Scotland are on a steeper path down than us tbh.

What's your early prediction on the squad for the RWC?
Scotland don't have the depth but most of this squad should be hitting their prime (Although I don't think Townsend has it in him as a coach for the RWC)

 

[Brigantine]

Probably a chance of Australia beating New Zealand with home advantage as well.

I wouldn't mind so much if they did, TBF. Save South Africa for the final

Argentina's possible path:
Pool: Fiji
R16: Chile
QF: Italy
SF: New Zealand/England/Australia

 

[OllyM97]

The best part of the draw is always finding out who Ireland will lose to in the QFs. Congratulations Los Pumas on reaching the semi-finals. Genuinely think Ireland would be more likely to beat England or France in a QF than Argentina.

 

[dirty harry]

You know what, as a Welshman ill take that!

England look ubeatable for us currently, but 2 years out, England are probably up there with SA as the best in the world, Wales at their lowest in a generation, you have to think things can only get better!

Tonga arent up to much, Wales going into that game currently are maybe even money, but the Welsh average age is so much younger you have to think they will grow into the RWC.

Hate the round of 16, means the groups are pretty much meaningless, we only lose 8 teams, and there will be massive mismatches making a knockout round less interesting, and serve as a big deal for lesser teams, and prep games for the bigger ones.

Wales have one job for the next 2 years, caps caps caps, there arent going to be many, if any players breaking through, the youngsters identified are already involved, and the clubs are full of journeymen, so regardless of results players like Griffin, Fender, Mann, Edwards, Hawkins, Llewellyn, etc need to play every game in a coherent position!

The big question for me, is do Ireland lose the round of 16 having never won a knockout game, or will they brrak that and just lose the 1/4 final?

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

What's your early prediction on the squad for the RWC?
Scotland don't have the depth but most of this squad should be hitting their prime (Although I don't think Townsend has it in him as a coach for the RWC)

I think 12 will be Osborne and Lowe will be replaced but then there won't be much change in the starting XV. Bench and supporting cast could look quite different.

Furlong, VdF and JGP are the worries.

Dempsey, Duhan and Russell (like they're so reliant on him and he didn't look like he can play 80mins this autumn, not exactly a perfect pro) are theirs.

It's also not a small gap for them to close, we've won 10 on the bounce head to head.

Like you have to win games to get to a world cup semi final but if it wasn't for our history in this comp, the narrative would be that this one is set up for us. Our bogey teams and SA can be avoided until the final by beating Scotland, which we always do.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Bloated and there’ll be way too many mismatches. Decent sides would be able to rest their entire first choice XVs during the pool stage and I hope some do to make a point.

All for growing the game but this isn’t the way to do it.

 

[OllyM97]

I think 12 will be Osborne and Lowe will be replaced but then there won't be much change in the starting XV. Bench and supporting cast could look quite different.

Furlong, VdF and JGP are the worries.

Dempsey, Duhan and Russell (like they're so reliant on him and he didn't look like he can play 80mins this autumn, not exactly a perfect pro) are theirs.

It's also not a small gap for them to close, we've won 10 on the bounce head to head.

Like you have to win games to get to a world cup semi final but if it wasn't for our history in this comp, the narrative would be that this one is set up for us. Our bogey teams and SA can be avoided until the final by beating Scotland, which we always do.

In fairness, Ireland, England and Argentina should be really fancying their chances of getting to the final. Looking at the draw Australia would be better off losing that pool game to the All Blacks because, assuming that the rest of the draw goes as planned, it would mean they would avoid France/SA until the final. You actually don’t want to win pool A haha.

I reckon if there’s ever a RWC that’s going to break the NZ/SA monopoly, it’s this one. As said above, France and SA could literally put out 2nd choice sides in their pool games and still cruise them all.

 

[Brigantine]

Decent sides would be able to rest their entire first choice XVs during the pool stage and I hope some do to make a point.

Except vs Hong Kong. There's an entirely different point to be made there. Set a record

 

[Which Tyler]

Oh, hi Scotland.

Win the group, and come on, its Scotland, and we likely meet Argentina in the QF. Honestly can't think of a better team to beat in a QF if we're ever going to reach a semi.

I just can't help feeling a little sad for anyone for whom "reaching a semi" is the ultimate goal...

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

I just can't help feeling a little sad for anyone for whom "reaching a semi" is the ultimate goal...
You can get pills these days

Well it's England then, I don't have experience with anything more than a semi from someone over there.

 

[Geordie]

I know we’re two years out but at present, Group C is the only one with a more uncertain outcome. If the age profile of Ireland’s squad starts to become more of a problem then Scotland may close the gap but honestly, 5/6 of the group winners are unlikely to be in serious doubt.

I really mean more for the 2nd and 3rd tier teams.
I do get bored of the "big 8" sometimes and i like to keep track on the lower level countries, the ones learning the game. So its nice to see those new nations who have qualified battling it out. And with that in mind theres some really good groups.

 

[Which Tyler]

Looking at the draw Australia would be better off losing that pool game to the All Blacks because, assuming that the rest of the draw goes as planned, it would mean they would avoid France/SA until the final.

So... are we saying that when Australia lose to NZ in the pools, it's a "tactical withdrawal"?...
Nothing more...
Honest guvner

 

[Which Tyler]

Well it's England then, I don't have experience with anything more than a semi from someone over there.

I'm sure that if you go through my junkmail folder you can find a sponsor who could help

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

I think 12 will be Osborne and Lowe will be replaced but then there won't be much change in the starting XV. Bench and supporting cast could look quite different.

Furlong, VdF and JGP are the worries.

Dempsey, Duhan and Russell (like they're so reliant on him and he didn't look like he can play 80mins this autumn, not exactly a perfect pro) are theirs.

It's also not a small gap for them to close, we've won 10 on the bounce head to head.

Like you have to win games to get to a world cup semi final but if it wasn't for our history in this comp, the narrative would be that this one is set up for us. Our bogey teams and SA can be avoided until the final by beating Scotland, which we always do.

How old will Bealham be?
Him and furlong both will be pushing it for that period which would make it hard

Yeah good point re Russell and not like Bath will manage his time for them

Honestly very surprised that Ireland didn’t chase hard Joe Heyes after the U20’s

 

[Which Tyler]

1/8 final:
New Zealand > Samoa
South Africa > Uruguay
Wales > Fiji
France > Scotland
Australia > Japan
England > Italy
Argentina > Tonga
Ireland > Georgia

1/4 final:
New Zealand = South Africa
Wales < France
Australia = England
Argentina > Ireland

1/2 Final:
NZ/SA v France
Aus/Eng v Argentina

So a 3-way battle for the winner, with England as losing finalists (though NZ may arrive knackered, and France may arrive having just played their final in the previous round - ALA 1999 & 2023)