The dates and venues for all the pool stage matches were revealed on Monday evening, with Scotland fans facing trips between Melbourne – where captain Sione Tuipulotu grew up – as well as Perth and Brisbane for pool matches.

Scotland will open their campaign on October 3, 2027 at Docklands Stadium, Melbourne against the South Americans.

Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu is set for a return to Melbourne (Image: ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan)

A second-string Scottish side was pushed close when the sides met in the 2024 summer tour before winning 31-19 in Montevideo. Scotland will be huge favourites to open their campaign with a big win.

Then it will be to Perth for the crunch clash with Ireland – who have beaten Scotland in each of the last two World Cups and enjoyed a run of 11 consecutive wins in the fixture.

That match will be played on October 10 in Perth.

The final pool match will see Scotland face another team they have faced in the recent past, Portugal, in Brisbane on October 17.

Scotland ran in nine tries in a 59-21 victory when the sides met during the 2024 Autumn Nations Series at Murrayfield.

However, the draw means Scotland fans who make the trip face significant travel once they have made the 9,000-mile journeys Down Under.

And if Townsend’s charges qualify for the knockout stage – a feat they have failed to achieve in the last two World Cups – they will be back in Melbourne for the round of 16 clash on either October 23 or 24, depending on their pool placing.

The World Cup will kick off when hosts Australia host Hong Kong China in Perth on October The final will take place on November 13 at Stadium Australia in Sydney.

World Rugby Chair Brett Robinson said: “The wait is over. This is the moment teams and fans have been waiting for and the start of their Rugby World Cup 2027 journey.

“We’ve assembled the most compelling match schedule to date, carefully designed to balance player welfare, fan experience and global reach.

World Rugby chair Brett Robinson (Image: World Rugby)

“From the opening match in Perth to the final in Sydney, get ready for six weeks of the greatest brand of rugby as our sport enters a new era of openness and entertainment with Australia 2027.”

Tickets will be on sale from 18 February for fans registered for the pre-sale. Organisers stated they start at AUD$40 for adults and AUD$20 for children.

However, the most expensive tickets for Scotland’s match with Ireland are priced at AUD$635 (about £320).

Chris Stanley, managing director of Rugby World Cup 2027, added: “It’s an exhilarating time to be a rugby fan.

“The biggest edition of our sport’s pinnacle competition has taken full shape, with mouth-watering fixtures across the pool phase and blockbusters in every round.

“By clustering matches on weekends, local communities in our seven vibrant host cities will enjoy a festival atmosphere, with tickets available to suit all needs and budgets.”

Scotland Rugby World Cup 2027 schedule

Sunday October 3 (17:15 local time, 07:15 UK time): Scotland v Uruguay, Docklands Stadium Melbourne

Sunday October 10 (17:45 local time, 10:45 UK time): Ireland v Scotland, Perth Stadium Perth

Sunday 17 October (16:15 local time, 07:15 UK time): Scotland v Portugal, Brisbane Stadium Brisbane