Head coach Gregor Townsend says Scotland need to end their long losing streak against Ireland before the two sides meet at the Rugby World Cup 2027. Scotland have not beaten Ireland in 11 matches, and Townsend believes getting a win soon would make a major difference to their confidence. And momentum is going into the biggest tournament in the sport.
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This will be the third World Cup in a row where Scotland and Ireland are drawn in the same pool. They will be joined in Pool D by Uruguay and Portugal. Between now and the World Cup, Scotland and Ireland will face each other twice in the Six Nations in both 2026 and 2027. Townsend is clear about what he wants: a win, and sooner rather than later.
It would help massively if we got on the right side of the result for a change, he said. He admitted the challenge will be tough, especially with a match scheduled in Dublin at the end of the Six Nations, but believes Scotland are capable of turning it around. We played really well last time we were out in Dublin, and we’ll be doing all we can to win that game, Townsend said.
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Rugby World Cup: Ireland Lead Tough Pool D Rankings
It’ll be more difficult in the World Cup if we haven’t managed to beat Ireland in the next two seasons. In the draw, Scotland were in the second seeding group. That allowed them to avoid three of the sport’s superpowers: defending world champions South Africa, New Zealand, and England.
South Africa will share a pool with Italy, New Zealand were drawn with hosts Australia, and England will face Wales. Ireland, the top seed in Scotland’s pool, is currently ranked fourth in the world, five places above Scotland. Uruguay are ranked 14th, while Portugal sits at 20th.
Townsend said he expected Scotland to face a strong top seed no matter what. They’re in that first pot for a reason; they’re very good teams, he said. He explained that the World Cup format has changed from the previous tournaments.
In 2019 and 2023, Scotland were drawn against both Ireland and South Africa, who at the time were two of the best teams in world rugby. This time, finishing second in the pool would be enough to reach the knockout rounds, and some third-place sides will also advance.
You want to get out of the pool by winning it, Townsend said, “because it’s an easier road to the quarter-finals and semi-finals. The Rugby World Cup 2027 will take place in Australia from 1 October to 13 November.
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Rugby World Cup Final: World Cup Expands to 24 Teams
It will be staged across seven venues in seven cities. For the first time, the tournament will expand to 24 teams. Instead of four pools of five, there will be six pools of four. The top two teams in each pool, plus the four best third-placed teams, will reach a new round of 16.
If Scotland finishes first in Pool D, they would meet a team that finishes third in Pools B, E, or F. Based on current rankings, that could mean matches against Georgia, the United States, or Tonga. If Scotland win that round-of-16 game, they may face Argentina in the quarter-finals, assuming Argentina top Pool C and win their own opening knockout game.
However, if Scotland come second in their pool, they are likely to face France in the round of 16, a much tougher route. France are strong favourites to win Pool E. The full match schedule will be announced on 3 February 2026, and pre-sale tickets for registered fans will open on 18 February.
Ireland, ranked fourth in the world and coached by former England international Andy Farrell. Have reached the World Cup quarter-finals eight times but have never gone further. They have played Scotland 143 times, winning 72 and losing 66, and Ireland has not lost to Scotland in their last 11 meetings.
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