The expansion of the Rugby World Cup and the introduction of two new pools at the 2027 tournament will see new teams enter the mix and some familiar faces return to the sport’s showcase event. The permutations of the group stages throw up a host of possibilities, with teams jostling to finish on top of their pool and secure a favourable path into the knockout stages.
The expansion of the Rugby World Cup and the introduction of two new pools at the 2027 tournament will see new teams enter the mix and some familiar faces return to the sport’s showcase event. The permutations of the group stages throw up a host of possibilities, with teams jostling to finish on top of their pool and secure a favourable path into the knockout stages.
For some nations, it will be their first ever World Cup appearance. For others, it will mean meeting new foes on the biggest stage. It is set up for a tantalising series of pool-stage matches that will entertain fans and could have real implications for the tournament favourites.
Some fixtures stand out because they feature first-time meetings, while others carry weight because the result could shape the entire competition.
Australia vs New Zealand
It is widely tipped that this match will open the tournament, given the spectacle of the occasion. The Wallabies, hosting a World Cup on home soil, facing their old trans-Tasman rivals for top spot in Pool A, is a script you could not write any better. Not to mention, it will be the first time these two sides have faced each other in a World Cup pool match.
Italy vs Georgia
The debate continues to rage about Georgia’s place in Europe. Locked out of the Six Nations but clearly too strong for the Rugby Europe Championship, which they dominate year after year, the Lelos are constantly compared to Italy in terms of international competitiveness and the Azzurri’s place in the Six Nations.
A burgeoning rivalry has quietly grown between the two nations, and a win over Italy at a World Cup would be a golden opportunity for Georgia to prove once and for all that they deserve a seat at the top table.
Argentina vs Fiji
It beggars belief that these two mainstays of international rugby have not played each other since 2003, let alone squared off at a World Cup. This match-up will be full of flair, with naturally combustible styles. Argentina thrive on physical pressure, breakdown intensity and defensive resolve. Fiji bring offloading, pace and unstructured attacking threat that can dismantle rigid systems.
This fixture could also decide who finishes top of the pool and earns a more favourable route to the quarter-finals.
Honourable Mention: Fiji vs Spain
Spain will finally appear at their first World Cup after cruelly being ruled out of the last tournament due to ineligible players. Spain recently pushed Fiji all the way in their November clash, and the World Cup may deliver a fascinating rematch between two exciting sides.
Uruguay v Portugal
These two nations were the surprise packets of the last World Cup and sit close together in the world rankings. This tournament could see either side claim a surprise win in their pool.
Uruguay bring brutal physicality, set-piece pride and a confrontational edge that makes them uncomfortable to play against. Portugal, on the other hand, lean into tempo, skill and ambition, preferring to stretch defences rather than grind opponents down. It is a true clash of styles.
Japan v France
Japan have proven themselves to be giant killers at World Cups, and in 2027 they enter as the second seed in a relatively forgiving pool. We also know how mercurial France can be, and their heavy rotation policy could present an opportunity for Japan to claim another famous victory over a top nation.
Japan will need to arrest their waning form under Eddie Jones if they are to truly rejoin rugby’s top echelon. A quarter-final appearance would do wonders for the game in Japan.
Wales v Zimbabwe
It is a welcome return for Zimbabwe, who have not featured at a Rugby World Cup since 1991, when they competed as Rhodesia. Given Wales’ recent form, it is no guarantee they could rotate heavily and still win against Zimbabwe with an understrength side.
Zimbabwe will arrive with nothing to lose and will likely play with freedom, speed and improvisation, led by several seasoned Super Rugby campaigners. They will bring their African flair and power that we rarely get to see at international level.
Honourable Mention: England v Wales
As things stand, England appear to be on the rise, while Wales are trending in the opposite direction. The traditional rivals will meet at the Rugby World Cup for the first time since 2015 when Wales’ famous victory at Twickenham contributed to England’s pool-stage exit at their home tournament. Time will tell where these two proud rugby nations sit when they meet again in two years’ time.