The final qualification tournament for the Rugby World Cup 2027 will take place in Dubai from November 8 to November 18. This event will decide the last remaining team to join the expanded World Cup in Australia, which will feature 24 nations for the first time, four more than in previous editions.
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Twelve teams have already secured their spots by finishing in the top three of their groups at the 2023 World Cup in France. Those nations earned automatic qualification and set the foundation for the tournament lineup. Another four teams qualified through the European region, while Africa and Asia each sent one representative.
The Pacific contributed three teams, South America added one, and another side advanced through a South America–Pacific playoff. That leaves just one open slot, which will go to the winner of this repechage tournament in Dubai.
Initially, Paraguay was supposed to represent South America in the competition. However, last week, World Rugby announced that Brazil would replace them after Paraguay voluntarily withdrew. The Paraguayan Rugby Union admitted it had fielded an ineligible player during the qualifying playoff against Brazil.
World Rugby praised Paraguay’s honesty and sportsmanship for self-reporting the violation. Allowing Brazil to take its place in the final qualification tournament. Dubai, known for hosting top rugby sevens events, will stage this decisive contest.
England Builds Momentum Ahead of Rugby World Cup
The UAE had briefly hoped its national team might also qualify for the tournament. The Emirati side finished second behind Hong Kong in this summer’s Asia Rugby Championship, falling just short of making history.
Hong Kong’s victory secured its first-ever Rugby World Cup berth, making it the second Asian team to participate in 2027, alongside Japan. While qualification battles continue, rugby’s powerhouse nations are already sharpening their form ahead of 2027.
England, for instance, kicked off its Autumn Nations Series with a strong 25–7 victory over Australia at Twickenham last weekend. The win extended England’s streak to eight consecutive triumphs and moved them up to No. 4 in the World Rugby Rankings.
With the World Cup drawing nearer, head coach Steve Borthwick’s team is eager to keep climbing and secure a top seeding for the tournament in Australia. England’s next challenge comes against Fiji on November 8, a match they are heavily favored to win.
But their third-round test against New Zealand looms as the true measure of progress. The All Blacks, currently ranked second in the world, opened their own autumn campaign with a 26–13 win over Ireland.
A victory for England over New Zealand would be a major confidence boost — and could vault them even higher in the rankings. Despite the convincing win over Australia, England’s performance wasn’t flawless.
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Rugby World Cup Final: England Still Searching for the Right Backline Formula
Playing in slippery conditions, they opted for a kick-heavy strategy, using a 1:4.2 kick-to-pass ratio. The approach paid off, helping control territory and exploit Australia’s mistakes. At halftime, England led only 10–7, but they dominated the second half with three well-crafted tries to seal the win.
Defensively, England looked sharp, recording 193 tackles and maintaining a 93% success rate. However, discipline remains an issue. The team conceded 13 penalties, an area that could prove costly against elite opponents like New Zealand. Though Australia failed to capitalize on those errors, stronger teams will not be so forgiving.
Statistically, England held 58% of the territory but just 45% of overall possession. That imbalance highlights a key area for improvement: maintaining control of the ball. Against the top-tier teams, simply defending well won’t be enough. England needs to dominate possession to sustain pressure and create scoring chances.
Coach Borthwick also used the Australia match to test lineup adjustments, most notably shifting Tommy Freeman from winger to outside center. The experiment produced mixed results. Freeman, who had expressed interest in the position, offered a physical presence and solid defense but still appeared more comfortable out wide.
Known for his attacking flair and ability to find space, he has excelled for Northampton, including a standout four-try performance against the Saracens. England continues to search for the right backline balance, and Freeman’s versatility may yet prove valuable as the World Cup approaches.
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