Scotland learn Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 fate

For the third such tournament in succession, Scotland will play Ireland after the respective Band 2 and 1 teams were drawn into Pool D for the showpiece event in two years’ time.

The Six Nations sides also met at the previous two iterations of Men’s Rugby World Cup, in 2019 and 2023, as well as the 1991 tournament.

Uruguay, who will be competing at a sixth Men’s Rugby World Cup, are familiar opponents having hosted Scotland during the 2024 Skyscanner Americas Tour, while Portugal were visitors to Scottish Gas Murrayfield later that year, losing 59-21 in an entertaining encounter.

The 2027 Men’s Rugby World Cup is expanded to 24 teams, meaning fewer pool matches but an extra round of 16 stage, with Pool D winners set to face a third-placed country from another group; runners-up are slated to face the winners of Pool E.

The draw was conducted by Brett Robinson, World Rugby Chair; four-time Rugby World Cup great James Slipper; Olympic 7s gold medallist Alicia Lucas; and two-time winner Dan Carter.

The Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 will start on 1 October in Perth and finish at Stadium Australia with the final on 13 November 2027. The fixture list will be announced in February.

The 2027 Rugby World Cup is heading to Australia – and you can be there.

From the buzzing streets of Sydney to the sun-soaked coastlines of Brisbane and Perth, this is your chance to follow Scotland across one of the world’s most iconic sporting stages.

Join us now. Secure priority access.