The 2027 Rugby World Cup draw: When is it? Which teams are included? Why is it held far in advance?

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Here is everything you need to know about the 2027 Rugby World Cup draw, including the date it is taking place, the format, and which teams will be involved. The 2027 Rugby World Cup is set to be held in Australia for the first time since 2003, with 24 teams taking part this time around. Samoa became the last team to qualify after a 13-13 draw with Belgium in Dubai on Tuesday.

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The countdown to the 2027 Rugby World Cup will get underway next week when the draw for the pool stages is held.

The tournament will be held in Australia for the first time since 2003, with South Africa hoping to win a third title in a row following their triumph over New Zealand in the 2023 final.

The 2027 Rugby World Cup will also be a landmark event as it will be the first time that the competition features 24 teams, giving more of the best sides the chance to shine on the international stage.

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With so much to look forward to, here is everything you need to know about the draw.

When is the Rugby World Cup draw?

The 2027 Rugby World Cup is set to get underway on October 1 2027, with the final scheduled to be contested on November 13.

However, before a ball can be kicked, the all-important draw will be held.

It is set to take place in Sydney on Wednesday, December 3.

Which teams are in the draw?

Several sides have already qualified for the draw, including the teams that finished first, second or third in their groups at the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.

Those teams are: France, New Zealand, Italy, Ireland, South Africa, Scotland, Wales, Fiji, Australia, England, Argentina, and Japan.

The other sides that have made it in to the draw qualified through a series of tournaments.

Those teams are: Georgia, Spain, Romania, Portugal, Tonga, Canada, United States, Uruguay, Chile, Zimbabwe, Hong Kong, and Samoa.

How does the draw work?

Each team will be seeded depending on its current position in the World Rugby Rankings when the draw takes place.

The teams are split into four different bands of six teams. One team from each band will then be drawn into each of the six 2027 Rugby World Cup groups.

Band 1: South Africa, New Zealand, England, Ireland, France, Argentina

Band 2: Australia, Fiji, Scotland, Italy, Wales, Japan

Band 3: Georgia, Uruguay, Spain, USA, Chile, Tonga

Band 4: Samoa, Portugal, Romania, Hong Kong, Zimbabwe, Canada

Why is the draw made so early?

The 2027 Rugby World Cup draw may be held just under two years before the tournament gets underway, but that is quite late by the standards of the competition.

In the past, the draw has been held even earlier, including in 2023, when it was made in December 2020.

It is always held well in advance of the tournament to ensure that host cities, fans, and governing bodies have time to prepare for the sport's biggest showpiece event.

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