Overview
- France lands in Pool E with Japan, the United States and Samoa, a grouping widely seen as favorable for the top-seeded XV de France.
- World Rugby’s new format features six pools of four, with the six group winners, six runners-up and the four best third-placed teams advancing to the round of 16.
- Headline groupings include Pool A with Australia and New Zealand plus debutant Hong Kong and Chile, Pool D with Ireland and Scotland, and Pool F with England and Wales.
- The tournament runs in Australia from 1 October to 13 November 2027, opening at Kings Park in Perth with the final in Sydney; other host cities include Melbourne, Adelaide, Townsville, Newcastle and Brisbane.
- World Rugby will publish the full match calendar and venue assignments on 3 February 2026, with ticket pre-sales for registered supporters beginning 18 February.