Next FOUR Rugby World Cup host nations confirmed as South Africa wait continues

The governing body has mapped out a huge decade for the sport, with Australia and the United States taking centre stage across the men's and women's tournaments.

Australia will host the men's Rugby World Cup in 2027 before staging the women's tournament two years later.

The competition will then break significant new ground, with the United States hosting the men's World Cup for the first time in 2031 before also staging the women's tournament in 2033.

World Rugby chief executive Alan Gilpin said: “As a sport and an international federation, it is imperative that we continually seek new ways to ensure that the sport converts clear potential into impactful outcomes.”

He added that World Rugby's partnership approach with host nations is designed to reduce staging costs, maximise revenue and fan engagement and ultimately increase investment back into the sport.

The next available men’s tournament is Rugby World Cup 2035, and the race to stage it is already beginning to take shape.

Spain and Japan are among the countries to have made their interest clear, while the prospect of a South American tournament has also been discussed, potentially involving Argentina and other rugby nations from the continent.

Italy has previously expressed ambitions to stage a Rugby World Cup and would provide another European option.

Two of rugby’s traditional heavyweights will inevitably feature in the debate among supporters

England has not hosted the tournament since 2015, while South Africa’s only Rugby World Cup on home soil came back in 1995 – meaning it will have been 40 years since the Springboks’ iconic home triumph by the time 2035 arrives.

Neither should be presented as a confirmed 2035 bidder at this stage, but both would be obvious choices for supporters who want the tournament to return to one of rugby’s established heartlands.

So, where should World Rugby go next?

Steve Borthwick’s side appear to have landed on the more favourable half of the draw, raising hopes of another deep run on the sport’s biggest stage.

From the pool phase to a possible final in Australia, here is England’s projected route through the tournament — and the major rivals who could stand in their way.

England have been drawn with Wales, Tonga and Zimbabwe in Pool F at the 2027 Rugby World Cup. Although Wales are likely to strengthen by then, Steve Borthwick’s team will still be firm favourites to top the pool and advance to the round of 16 without major difficulty.

If England top their group, they will meet the Pool B runners-up in the round of 16. Pool B features South Africa, Italy, Georgia and Romania. The Springboks are expected to win the pool, meaning England would avoid the reigning back-to-back world champions, and the remaining teams are unlikely to pose a major threat.

Italy are the most probable candidates for second place. Although they are an improving side and far from a guaranteed victory, England should still be confident of beating them.

Italy’s defeat would set up a quarter-final against a runner-up from either Pool A or Pool E. Pool A includes the All Blacks and hosts Australia, raising the possibility of a rematch of the 2003 final between England and the Wallabies — a tricky prospect given Australia’s home advantage.

The Pool E runner-up is most likely to be Japan, though the USA or Samoa could also feature. Regardless, Australia are expected to progress, potentially paving the way for a thrilling showdown with a traditional rival.

If England can navigate the Wallabies without major setbacks, they should reach the semi-finals — at which point the outcome becomes far harder to predict. Their side of the draw will feature two third-placed teams and two pool winners, and it’s likely that one of those pool winners will progress to the semis.

That would mean facing the winner of either Pool C or Pool D. Argentina are favourites in Pool C, while Pool D could be topped by either Ireland or Scotland. Any of these sides would pose a significant test, but England would still back themselves to compete strongly against each of them.

And if they overcome their semi-final opponents, the most probable finalists waiting on the other side of the draw would be New Zealand or South Africa. Both are powerhouse rugby nations with exceptional squads, though South Africa have had the upper hand in recent years as back-to-back World Cup champions and current Rugby Championship holders.

That sets up the real possibility of a repeat of the 2019 final in Japan, where the Springboks claimed a 32–12 victory.

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