ONE TWIST LEFT AS RWC 2027 SEEDINGS LOCK IN
World Rugby has now officially locked in the seeding bands for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, but there’s still one last cliffhanger, and it hinges entirely on Tonga.
If Tonga can beat or even draw with Scotland at Murrayfield, they’ll crash into Band 3, which would push Samoa down into Band 4.
That scenario stems from Samoa’s costly draw with Belgium in their repechage match, which almost cost them their current slot. But with their fate still potentially in Tonga’s hands, only that one result can rewrite the final seeding.
When rankings officially update at noon on Monday, the six-team bands are almost certainly going to stay as they are.
As it stands:
Band 1 features South Africa, New Zealand, England, Ireland, France, and Argentina.
Band 2 includes Australia (the host), Fiji, Scotland, Italy, Georgia, and Wales.
Band 3 has Japan, Spain, Uruguay, the USA, Samoa, and Chile.
Band 4 is rounded out by Tonga, Portugal, Romania, Hong Kong, China, Canada, and Zimbabwe.
With bands now confirmed, all eyes turn to the draw in Sydney on December 3, where the 24 teams will finally be placed into their pools.
Image credit: BBC