While the 2027 Rugby World Cup is still almost two years away, Ireland now have a clearer idea as to who they could face in the pool stages in Australia.

World Rugby have changed the format for the next edition of the competition, something that has taken some of the intrigue out of the pool stages. Instead of the previous format that featured four groups of five, there will now be six pools of four teams. As a result, the competition has been expanded to include 24 nations for the first time.

Ireland confirmed their status as a top seed for the draw during the November window, with the full pots now confirmed.

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Ireland Pot Confirmed For 2027 Rugby World Cup Draw

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The draw for the 2027 Rugby World Cup will take place on December 3rd.

Ireland will be in Pot 1 for the 2027 Rugby World Cup draw, with New Zealand, South Africa, England, France, and Argentina also included. As a result, Andy Farrell’s side cannot be drawn against any of those sides in the pool stages.

Pot 2 features a number of familiar opponents, with Australia, Scotland, Wales, Fiji, Italy, and Japan. A number of Rugby World Cup regulars are part of pot 3, while some unknown quantities such as Hong Kong and Zimbabwe.

Here are the pots in full.

The new schedule will see teams play three pool matches, with 16 of 24 teams advancing to the knockout rounds. The two two from each pool will get through, as well as the four best third-placed sides. As a result, Ireland are all but guaranteed to advance beyond the pool stages.

The changed format certainly takes a bit of jeopardy out of the pool stages, largely avoiding the type of pairings we saw at the 2023 edition.

It will be interesting to see what sort of impact that has on the product on display Down Under.

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