Reports that the 2027 and 2031 Rugby World Cups are to be expanded from 20 to 24 teams come as no surprise
suggests that World Rugby’s preference is for six pools of four, with an additional round-of-16 stage. Two teams would qualify from each pool, plus four of the best third-placed sides.
There’s no doubt that this World Cup has been notable, among other things, for the competitiveness and entertaining brand of rugby played by Uruguay, Portugal and Chile, in its maiden World Cup. The four highest ranked sides not at France 2023 are USA , Spain , Canada and Hong Kong . Of those the USA are the best equipped to reach previous heights, and perhaps Canada too at a bigger push.
However, like Romania, Russia are in decline as well as being outcasts, and the next highest ranked European side are the Netherlands, who aside from a walkover over Russia, lost their other nine matches by an average of 40 points. The anticipated rise of Germany, ranked 32nd in the world, hasn’t happened.
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