Rugby World Cup 2027 Pools Set, As Draw Delivers Major Clashes

The Rugby World Cup 2027 draw confirms all pools with major clashes ahead as Australia meets New Zealand and England faces Wales in an expanded tournament.

Dec 3, 2025 by Philip Bendon

Rugby World Cup 2027 Pools Set, As Draw Delivers Major Clashes

The road to Rugby World Cup 2027 officially took shape Tuesday, as World Rugby unveiled the full pool draw for the expanded 24-team tournament.

The event marks the biggest edition in men’s rugby history, featuring six pools of four and a new round of 16 that increases knockout jeopardy and widens the path for developing nations.

Australia will host the tournament across seven cities, from Perth in the west to Sydney in the east.

Organizers confirmed 52 matches total, including an opening ceremony in Perth and the final in Sydney.

The revamped format sends the top two teams in each pool to the knockout rounds, along with the four best third-place finishers.

Pool winners in A, B, C and D will meet third-place teams, while winners of Pools E and F will face second-place sides, before the bracket standardizes at the quarterfinal stage.

The draw produced several heavyweight clashes and immediately sharpened the narrative for the two-year march toward kickoff.

Rugby World Cup 2027 Pools

Pool A: Australia, Hong Kong China, Chile, New Zealand

Pool B: Romania, Georgia, Italy, South Africa

Pool C: Canada, Spain, Fiji, Argentina

Pool D: Portugal, Uruguay, Scotland, Ireland

Pool E: Samoa, USA, Japan, France

Pool F: Zimbabwe, Tonga, Wales, England

The headline fixture arrives in Pool A, where hosts Australia and rival New Zealand are expected to open the tournament.

Defending champion South Africa leads Pool B alongside Italy and Georgia.

Pool C sets up a compelling clash between Fiji and Argentina.

Ireland and Scotland renew their rivalry in Pool D, while Pool F delivers England and Wales in one of the sport’s oldest derbies.

The United States, under coach Scott Lawrence, faces a major challenge in Pool E with France, Japan and Samoa in the way.

The expanded field gives emerging programs such as Hong Kong China, Portugal, Uruguay and Zimbabwe the clearest route yet to reach the last 16.

The announcement also followed confirmation of the official match ball and promotional appearances from former stars, including Dan Carter, Tim Horan, George Gregan and Jonny Wilkinson, as anticipation builds.

With the pools locked and the host cities confirmed, the framework for the 2027 Rugby World Cup is now in place. The next two years will determine who arrives ready to lift the Webb Ellis trophy.

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Thank you for following our live blog today, we can't wait for 2027!

Here Are Your Pools For Rugby World Cup 2027

Pool A: Australia (host), Hong Kong China, Chile, New Zealand

Pool B: Romania, Georgia, Italy, South Africa

Pool C: Canada, Spain, Fiji, Argentina

Pool D: Portugal, Uruguay, Scotland, Ireland

Pool E: Samoa, USA, Japan, France

Pool F: Zimbabwe, Tonga, Wales, England

Pool stages = Locked 🔒#RWC2027Draw | #RWC2027 pic.twitter.com/LhHC20tELI

— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) December 3, 2025

What A Lineup

Host Australia will face New Zealand's All Blacks in Pool A action in what many presume will be the opening match of the tournament.

For the USA, Scott Lawrence's side has an intriguing pool with France, Japan and Samoa completing Pool E's lineup.

Other big clashes include Ireland and Scotland squaring off in Pool D, as will England vs. Wales in Pool F.

The back-to-back world champion Springboks will face Italy in Pool B, while Argentina and Fiji squad off in Pool C.

The @USARugby Eagles🇺🇸 are all set for @rugbyworldcup 2027! They will face:

France 🇫🇷
Japan 🇯🇵
Samoa 🇼🇸#RWC2027 #USARugby
— FloRugby (@FloRugby) December 3, 2025

Band 1 Team Draws:

Pool F: England
Pool E: France
Pool D: Ireland
Pool C: Argentina
Pool B: South Africa
Pool A: New Zealand

Band 2 Team Draws:

Pool F: Wales
Pool E: Japan
Pool D: Scotland
Pool C: Fiji
Pool B: Italy
Pool A: Australia

Band 3 Team Draws:

Pool F: Tonga
Pool E: USA
Pool D: Uruguay
Pool C: Spain
Pool B: Georgia
Pool A: Chile

Band 4 Team Draws

Pool F: Zimbabwe
Pool E: Samoa
Pool D: Portugal
Pool C: Canada
Pool B: Romania
Pool A: Hong Kong China

Who will be lifting the trophy in 2027?

Getting Hyped!

We know it's two years away.... But we are already so hyped for the 2027 @rugbyworldcup 🏉

Seeing the expanded list of nations makes the upcoming tournament even more special.

Who lifts the Webb Ellis trophy in 2027? 🤔 Let us know below ⬇️#RWC2027
— FloRugby (@FloRugby) December 3, 2025

Official Match Ball Revealed

She's a beauty! The 2027 Rugby World Cup ball has been unveiled!

Beautiful 😍 #RWC2027 https://t.co/S1gOni1BqF
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) December 1, 2025

Two Of The Best To Ever Do It

When you talk about heavy hitters in rugby, it doesn't get bigger than Dan Carter and Tim Horan. Seeing these two legends discuss the upcoming tournament certainly gets the blood flowing. Bring on 2027!

Seeding Bands - Who Will The Wallabies Face?

Ahead of the draw, here is a quick reminder of where each team sits in terms of ranking bands. Australia, as the host, automatically will be placed into Pool A.

A reminder of the all-important bands as we head into the #RWC2027Draw 🙌

Watch the draw live on World Rugby's YouTube channel and RugbyPass TV from 09:00 GMT 👉 https://t.co/1n0zwC1Iwo #RWC2027 pic.twitter.com/6Gq7i1KZLa
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) December 3, 2025

Legends Reunited

Two icons of the sport who went toe-to-toe in what remains the greatest Rugby World Cup final to date, George Gregan and Johnny Wilkinson, show off their acting chops to promote the tournament.

Which two players will define the 2027 tournament? Our guess would be South Africa's Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and France's Antoine Dupont.

Men's Rugby World Cup 2027 is on the horizon 👀

Register now for pre-sale information 👉 https://t.co/nPfQLRGk0o #RWC2027 | #RWC2027Draw pic.twitter.com/Zi2noRuVYj
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) December 2, 2025

Host Cities Confirmed!

Seven host cities confirmed for RWC 2027. Sydney leads with the final and semifinals, Perth opens the tournament and Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Newcastle and Townsville all feature.

Seven host cities locked in for the biggest Rugby World Cup ever. Sydney takes the final, Perth opens the show and the whole country is gearing up.

The draw is now only 10 minutes away! Who will be in the pool of death?...#RWC2027
— FloRugby (@FloRugby) December 3, 2025

Two Years Out - Here Is The World Rugby Dream XV

The all-stars of 2025 men's rugby 🤩#WorldRugbyAwards pic.twitter.com/DGprgsGUct
— World Rugby (@WorldRugby) November 25, 2025

USA Rugby Fans!

USA Rugby fans catch all of the upcoming Investec Champions Cup action live, and exclusively, on FloRugby.

Below are all of the fixtures:

Investec Champions Cup Round 1

Friday, Dec. 5

3 p.m. ET: Sale Sharks vs. Glasgow Warriors, Salford Community Stadium
3 p.m. ET: Bayonne vs. DHL Stormers, Stade Jean Dauger

Saturday, Dec. 6

8 a.m. ET: Saracens vs. Clermont Auvergne, StoneX Stadium
10:15 a.m. ET: Vodacom Bulls vs. Bordeaux-Bègles, Loftus Versfeld
12:30 p.m. ET: La Rochelle vs. Leicester Tigers, Stade Marcel Deflandre
12:30 p.m. ET: Leinster Rugby vs. Harlequins, TBD
3 p.m. ET: Scarlets vs. Bristol Bears, Parc y Scarlets
3 p.m. ET: Bath Rugby vs. Munster Rugby, The Rec

Sunday, Dec. 7

8 a.m. ET: Pau vs. Northampton Saints, Stade du Hameau
10:15 a.m. ET: Toulouse vs. Hollywoodbets Sharks, Stade Ernest Wallon
10:15 a.m. ET: Gloucester Rugby vs. Castres Olympique, Kingsholm

Dec. 7-9 (TBD)

Edinburgh Rugby vs. Toulon, TBD

Investec Champions Cup Round 2

Friday, Dec. 12

3 p.m. ET: Leicester Tigers vs. Leinster Rugby, Mattioli Woods Welford Road

Saturday, Dec. 13

8 a.m. ET: DHL Stormers vs. La Rochelle, Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium
10:15 a.m. ET: Hollywoodbets Sharks vs. Saracens, Hollywoodbets Kings Park
10:15 a.m. ET: Clermont Auvergne vs. Sale Sharks, Stade Marcel-Michelin
12:30 p.m. ET: Bordeaux-Bègles vs. Scarlets, Stade Chaban-Delmas
12:30 p.m. ET: Munster Rugby vs. Gloucester Rugby, SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh
3 p.m. ET: Glasgow Warriors vs. Toulouse, Scotstoun Stadium

Sunday, Dec. 14

8 a.m. ET: Harlequins vs. Bayonne, Twickenham Stoop
8 a.m. ET: Castres Olympique vs. Edinburgh Rugby, Stade Pierre-Fabre
10:15 a.m. ET: Toulon vs. Bath Rugby, Stade Félix Mayol
10:15 a.m. ET: Northampton Saints vs. Vodacom Bulls, cinch Stadium @ Franklin’s Gardens
12:30 p.m. ET: Bristol Bears vs. Pau, Ashton Gate

Investec Champions Cup Round 3

Friday, Jan. 9

3 p.m. ET: Castres Olympique vs. Bath Rugby, Stade Pierre-Fabre
3 p.m. ET: Edinburgh Rugby vs. Gloucester Rugby, TBD

Saturday, Jan. 10

8 a.m. ET: Vodacom Bulls vs. Bristol Bears, Loftus Versfeld
10:15 a.m. ET: Clermont Auvergne vs. Glasgow Warriors, Stade Marcel-Michelin
12:30 p.m. ET: Leinster Rugby vs. La Rochelle, TBD
12:30 p.m. ET: Sale Sharks vs. Hollywoodbets Sharks, Salford Community Stadium
3 p.m. ET: Scarlets vs. Pau, Parc y Scarlets
3 p.m. ET: Leicester Tigers vs. Bayonne, Mattioli Woods Welford Road

Sunday, Jan. 11

8 a.m. ET: Harlequins vs. DHL Stormers, Twickenham Stoop
8 a.m. ET: Toulon vs. Munster Rugby, Stade Félix Mayol
10:15 a.m. ET: Bordeaux-Bègles vs. Northampton Saints, Stade Chaban-Delmas
12:30 p.m. ET: Saracens vs. Toulouse, StoneX Stadium

Investec Champions Cup Round 4

Friday, Jan. 16

3 p.m. ET: Pau vs. Vodacom Bulls, Stade du Hameau
3 p.m. ET: Bath Rugby vs. Edinburgh Rugby, The Rec

Saturday, Jan. 17

8 a.m. ET: Hollywoodbets Sharks vs. Clermont Auvergne, Hollywoodbets Kings Park
10:15 a.m. ET: Bayonne vs. Leinster Rugby, Stade Jean Dauger
10:15 a.m. ET: DHL Stormers vs. Leicester Tigers, DHL Stadium
12:30 p.m. ET: Toulouse vs. Sale Sharks, Stade Ernest Wallon
12:30 p.m. ET: Munster Rugby vs. Castres Olympique, Thomond Park
3 p.m. ET: Gloucester Rugby vs. Toulon, Kingsholm

Sunday, Jan. 18

8 a.m. ET: Bristol Bears vs. Bordeaux-Bègles, Ashton Gate
10:15 a.m. ET: Northampton Saints vs. Scarlets, cinch Stadium @ Franklin’s Gardens
10:15 a.m. ET: La Rochelle vs. Harlequins, Stade Marcel Deflandre
12:30 p.m. ET: Glasgow Warriors vs. Saracens, Scotstoun Stadium

Investec Champions Cup Fixtures By Pool

Here's a breakdown of the schedule by pool:

Investec Champions Cup Pool 1

Round 1

Friday, Dec. 5 – 3 p.m. ET: Sale Sharks vs. Glasgow Warriors, Salford Community Stadium
Saturday, Dec. 6 – 8 a.m. ET: Saracens vs. Clermont Auvergne, StoneX Stadium
Sunday, Dec. 7 – 10:15 a.m. ET: Toulouse vs. Hollywoodbets Sharks, Stade Ernest Wallon

Round 2

Saturday, Dec. 13 – 10:15 a.m. ET: Hollywoodbets Sharks vs. Saracens, Hollywoodbets Kings Park
Saturday, Dec. 13 – 10:15 a.m. ET: Clermont Auvergne vs. Sale Sharks, Stade Marcel-Michelin
Saturday, Dec. 13 – 3 p.m. ET: Glasgow Warriors vs. Toulouse, Scotstoun Stadium

Round 3

Saturday, Jan. 10 – 10:15 a.m. ET: Clermont Auvergne vs. Glasgow Warriors, Stade Marcel-Michelin
Saturday, Jan. 10 – 12:30 p.m. ET: Sale Sharks vs. Hollywoodbets Sharks, Salford Community Stadium
Sunday, Jan. 11 – 12:30 p.m. ET: Saracens vs. Toulouse, StoneX Stadium

Round 4

Saturday, Jan. 17 – 8 a.m. ET: Hollywoodbets Sharks vs. Clermont Auvergne, Hollywoodbets Kings Park
Saturday, Jan. 17 – 12:30 p.m. ET: Toulouse vs. Sale Sharks, Stade Ernest Wallon
Sunday, Jan. 18 – 12:30 p.m. ET: Glasgow Warriors vs. Saracens, Scotstoun Stadium

Investec Champions Cup Pool 2

Round 1

Saturday, Dec. 6 – 3 p.m. ET: Bath Rugby vs. Munster Rugby, The Rec
Sunday, Dec. 7 – 10:15 a.m. ET: Gloucester Rugby vs. Castres Olympique, Kingsholm
Dec. 7–9 (TBD): Edinburgh Rugby vs. Toulon, TBD

Round 2

Saturday, Dec. 13 – 12:30 p.m. ET: Munster Rugby vs. Gloucester Rugby, SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh
Sunday, Dec. 14 – 8 a.m. ET: Castres Olympique vs. Edinburgh Rugby, Stade Pierre-Fabre
Sunday, Dec. 14 – 10:15 a.m. ET: Toulon vs. Bath Rugby, Stade Félix Mayol

Round 3

Friday, Jan. 9 – 3 p.m. ET: Castres Olympique vs. Bath Rugby, Stade Pierre-Fabre
Friday, Jan. 9 – 3 p.m. ET: Edinburgh Rugby vs. Gloucester Rugby, TBD
Sunday, Jan. 11 – 8 a.m. ET: Toulon vs. Munster Rugby, Stade Félix Mayol

Round 4

Friday, Jan. 16 – 3 p.m. ET: Bath Rugby vs. Edinburgh Rugby, The Rec
Saturday, Jan. 17 – 12:30 p.m. ET: Munster Rugby vs. Castres Olympique, Thomond Park
Saturday, Jan. 17 – 3 p.m. ET: Gloucester Rugby vs. Toulon, Kingsholm

Investec Champions Cup Pool 3

Round 1

Friday, Dec. 5 – 3 p.m. ET: Bayonne vs. DHL Stormers, Stade Jean Dauger
Saturday, Dec. 6 – 12:30 p.m. ET: La Rochelle vs. Leicester Tigers, Stade Marcel Deflandre
Saturday, Dec. 6 – 12:30 p.m. ET: Leinster Rugby vs. Harlequins, TBD

Round 2

Friday, Dec. 12 – 3 p.m. ET: Leicester Tigers vs. Leinster Rugby, Mattioli Woods Welford Road
Saturday, Dec. 13 – 8 a.m. ET: DHL Stormers vs. La Rochelle, Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium
Sunday, Dec. 14 – 8 a.m. ET: Harlequins vs. Bayonne, Twickenham Stoop

Round 3

Saturday, Jan. 10 – 12:30 p.m. ET: Leinster Rugby vs. La Rochelle, TBD
Saturday, Jan. 10 – 3 p.m. ET: Leicester Tigers vs. Bayonne, Mattioli Woods Welford Road
Sunday, Jan. 11 – 8 a.m. ET: Harlequins vs. DHL Stormers, Twickenham Stoop

Round 4

Saturday, Jan. 17 – 10:15 a.m. ET: Bayonne vs. Leinster Rugby, Stade Jean Dauger
Saturday, Jan. 17 – 10:15 a.m. ET: DHL Stormers vs. Leicester Tigers, DHL Stadium
Sunday, Jan. 18 – 10:15 a.m. ET: La Rochelle vs. Harlequins, Stade Marcel Deflandre

Investec Champions Cup Pool 4

Round 1

Saturday, Dec. 6 – 10:15 a.m. ET: Vodacom Bulls vs. Bordeaux-Bègles, Loftus Versfeld
Saturday, Dec. 6 – 3 p.m. ET: Scarlets vs. Bristol Bears, Parc y Scarlets
Sunday, Dec. 7 – 8 a.m. ET: Pau vs. Northampton Saints, Stade du Hameau

Round 2

Saturday, Dec. 13 – 12:30 p.m. ET: Bordeaux-Bègles vs. Scarlets, Stade Chaban-Delmas
Sunday, Dec. 14 – 10:15 a.m. ET: Northampton Saints vs. Vodacom Bulls, cinch Stadium @ Franklin’s Gardens
Sunday, Dec. 14 – 12:30 p.m. ET: Bristol Bears vs. Pau, Ashton Gate

Round 3

Saturday, Jan. 10 – 8 a.m. ET: Vodacom Bulls vs. Bristol Bears, Loftus Versfeld
Saturday, Jan. 10 – 3 p.m. ET: Scarlets vs. Pau, Parc y Scarlets
Sunday, Jan. 11 – 10:15 a.m. ET: Bordeaux-Bègles vs. Northampton Saints, Stade Chaban-Delmas

Round 4

Friday, Jan. 16 – 3 p.m. ET: Pau vs. Vodacom Bulls, Stade du Hameau
Sunday, Jan. 18 – 8 a.m. ET: Bristol Bears vs. Bordeaux-Bègles, Ashton Gate
Sunday, Jan. 18 – 10:15 a.m. ET: Northampton Saints vs. Scarlets, cinch Stadium @ Franklin’s Gardens

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