The Rugby World Cup 2027 draw is complete. Australia will host the biggest tournament in rugby history, with 24 teams competing across six pools starting October 1, 2027. The headline matchup? New Zealand faces Australia in Pool A—a Bledisloe Cup clash that could determine who tops the group.

This guide breaks down every pool, the key matches you need to know about, and how to secure your tickets before they sell out.

What Are the Rugby World Cup 2027 Pools?

The 24 qualified nations have been drawn into six pools of four teams each. Here's the complete breakdown:

Pool A	Pool B	Pool C	Pool D	Pool E	Pool F
Australia	South Africa	Argentina	Ireland	France	England
New Zealand	Italy	Fiji	Scotland	Japan	Wales
Chile	Georgia	Canada	Uruguay	Samoa	Tonga
Hong Kong China	Romania	Spain	Portugal	USA	Zimbabwe

The top two teams from each pool advance automatically. The four best third-place teams also qualify, creating a 16-team knockout bracket.

Which Pool Matches Will Be the Most Exciting?

Several pool-stage matchups stand out as must-see games:

Pool A: Australia vs New Zealand

This is the marquee match of the entire pool stage. Dan Carter predicted it during the draw broadcast, and he was right. The Bledisloe Cup rivalry needs no introduction. With Australia hosting, the Wallabies will have massive crowd support. New Zealand are favorites, but home-soil advantage changes everything. The winner likely tops Pool A and avoids a potential quarterfinal clash with South Africa.

Pool B: Italy vs Georgia

South Africa should cruise through this pool. The real battle is for second place between Italy and Georgia. Both teams have been steadily improving, and this match will determine who joins the Springboks in the knockout rounds. Romania adds another layer of intrigue with their physical, set-piece-focused style.

Pool C: Argentina vs Fiji

Argentina enters as the rising force in world rugby. But Fiji has a history of peaking at World Cups. When Fiji puts together a complete 80-minute performance, they can beat nearly anyone. This matchup could produce one of the tournament's biggest upsets.

Pool D: Ireland vs Scotland

These two have been drawn together for the third consecutive World Cup. Ireland holds the psychological edge—Scotland has struggled against them in recent tournaments. Gregor Townsend's squad needs to break that pattern here. Ireland should top this pool, but Scotland has the talent to push them.

Pool E: France vs Japan

France enters on the same side of the draw as New Zealand and South Africa, setting up a potential semifinal against one of them. Japan continues improving under Eddie Jones, and Samoa could have Manu Tuilagi available by 2027. This pool has upset potential written all over it.

Pool F: England vs Wales

A classic Home Nations rivalry. England should win this pool, but Wales under Steve Tandy has time to rebuild. By 2027, this could be a much closer contest than current form suggests. The winner avoids other pool winners until the semifinals.

How Does the New World Cup Format Work?

This is the first expanded Rugby World Cup since 2003. The format changes significantly:

•      24 teams (up from 20) in six pools of four

•      52 matches (up from 48) more action for fans

•      Round of 16 knockout stage added

•      43 days total (down from 50) more condensed action

•      Same 7 matches for teams reaching the final (3 pool + 4 knockout)

The key change: teams play one fewer pool match (3 instead of 4) but gain an extra knockout round. Player welfare stays protected while fans get more high-stakes elimination games.

When Can You Buy Rugby World Cup 2027 Tickets?

Official presale opens February 18, 2026 at 12:00 AEDT. You must register your ticketing account by February 17, 2026 to access the presale.

Based on previous Rugby World Cups, high-demand matches like Australia vs New Zealand, Ireland vs Scotland, and the knockout rounds will sell out within hours of release. The final and semifinals historically sell out within minutes.

Get Rugby World Cup 2027 Tickets Now

We're already helping fans secure premium tickets for the biggest matches:

Browse All Rugby World Cup 2027 Tickets

Australia Wallabies Match Tickets

New Zealand vs Australia (Pool A) Tickets

Ireland Match Tickets

Where Will Matches Be Played?

Seven Australian cities will host matches:

•      Perth (Opening match: October 1, 2027)

•      Sydney

•      Melbourne

•      Brisbane

•      Adelaide

•      Newcastle

•      Townsville

Australia kicks off the tournament against a Pool A opponent at Perth Stadium on October 1, 2027.

What Does the Road to the Final Look Like?

The new format creates some interesting knockout paths. Pool winners from A, B, C, and D face third-place qualifiers in the Round of 16. Pool E and F winners face runners-up.

Notable potential quarterfinal matchups based on the draw:

•      New Zealand vs South Africa if both top their pools

•      England vs Australia/New Zealand likely quarterfinal clash

•      France on track to meet NZ or SA in semifinals

Key Takeaways

The 2027 draw delivered exactly what fans hoped for: blockbuster pool matchups with Australia vs New Zealand, Ireland vs Scotland, and England vs Wales headlining the group stage. The expanded 24-team format means more knockout rugby without increasing player workload.

Mark your calendar: the tournament runs October 1 through mid-November 2027. Ticket presale begins February 18, 2026. For marquee matches, waiting until general sale is risky, these will move fast.