Whether they are labelled system players, impact players, finishers, game-changers or simply substitutes, there is no longer any argument about the importance of the bench in the modern Rugby World Cup 2027. Coaches regularly talk about matches being decided by all 23 players, not just the starting XV, and the way replacements are selected.
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Besides used has become almost as significant as the team picked to kick off. The balance between forwards and backs on the bench now attracts as much debate as any individual selection call, and the timing of substitutions across the 80 minutes can decisively shape the outcome of a contest. The rise of specialist benches has even given birth to nicknames.
South Africa’s forward-heavy approach became known as the Bomb Squad, while England’s similar tactic earned the label Pom Squad. These terms reflect how benches are no longer there merely to cover injuries, but to apply pressure, change tempo and exploit tiring opponents. A well-used bench can swing momentum in several ways, from an experienced prop stabilizing a faltering scrum.
To a failure expert winning crucial turnovers, to fresh legs inserting energy into the pack. Occasionally, all it takes is one fiery back walking off the bench to create something from nothing and score a decisive try. One clear way to assess the influence of stand-ins is through try-scoring, and the numbers from 2025 show a wide inequality among the 12 teams set to compete in next year’s Nations Cup.
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Rugby World Cup: When the Bench Falls Short at Test Level
Unsurprisingly, the Rugby World Cup top three-ranked sides also had the most productive benches, highlighting how depth and impact often go hand in hand at the highest level. At the other end of the scale, some teams struggled badly to generate attacking returns from their replacements. Fiji’s replacements crossed the line only three times during the year, all of them against lower-ranked opposition.
Two came in the Asahi Pacific Nations Cup, where Fiji dominated early and scored nearly two-thirds of their tries in the first half. Both of those efforts were supplied by players replacing the outside centre, with Taniela Rakuro scoring against Tonga and Joji Nasova against Canada. The third try arrived much later, when prop Atunaisa Sokobale scored in Fiji’s final match of the year.
A thrilling 41-33 victory over Spain. In truth, Fiji did not need major bench contributions during the Pacific Nations Cup, as their starting XV consistently put games beyond reach. However, the lack of impact from replacements proved costly in the Quilter Nations Series.
Against England and France, Fiji went into half-time within a single score on both occasions, yet could manage only one try in each second half. This was precisely the period when benches are usually emptied, and Fiji were unable to close the gap or keep pace on the scoreboard. France’s return from their bench was also underwhelming.
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Rugby World Cup Final: Wales and Scotland Share a Familiar Problem
Once the tries from Louis Bielle-Biarrey and Damian Penaud are removed, there was very little scoring spread throughout the squad. Just five replacement tries across the entire year was a poor outcome for a team of such depth. Les Bleus’ bench looked set to complete five consecutive matches without producing a try until the final minute of the final Test.
When extra hooker Maxime Lamothe powered over against Australia. Wales faced similar issues. Aside from Nick Tompkins’ late match-winning try against Japan in the Rugby World Cup Final, their bench offered little violent effect in 2025. Tompkins’ score in Cardiff was the only try from a Welsh replacement outside the Guinness Men’s Six Nations, where No.8 Aaron Wainwright and lock Teddy Williams spanned against Italy and Scotland singly.
Scotland’s replacement numbers improved late in a disappointing year, finishing with a 56-0 demolition of Tonga. Ewan Ashman and George Horne both came off the bench to score twice, defying the trend that had plagued the side for months. Before that match, Scotland’s replacements had contributed just two of their 43 tries.
With no bench player scoring until George Turner’s effort against Samoa on the summer tour. Horne’s earlier try came in an 85-0 rout of the USA, when almost everyone got on the scoresheet. Given the slow release of energy from the bench, Porridge Squad may be a fitting nickname. Italy also struggled to involve replacements, scoring more tries in the first half than the second during the Six Nations.
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