As October begins, marking one year until the next men's Rugby World Cup in Australia, a new set of power rankings has been published. The 2027 tournament has been expanded to include 24 teams, with the draw from last December already shaping international coaches' strategies.
The competitive landscape of Test rugby is evolving rapidly, and much is expected to change over the next 12 months as teams aim to challenge double defending champions South Africa. An additional knockout round is set to introduce new challenges, and a draw that appears lopsided, with the Springboks, New Zealand, and France in the same half, could create opportunities for other nations.
Beyond the top contenders, an expanded tournament is expected to provide more chances for other nations to advance to the round of 16. For instance, Portugal secured their first Rugby Europe Championship in 22 years at the beginning of 2026, defeating Georgia.