Drawn in Pool D, the Celtic neighbours are drawn alongside Uruguay and Portugal.

In World Cup matches, Ireland beat the Scots in both the 2019 and 2023 tournaments, while Scotland claimed victory at the 1991 edition.

Ireland have never faced Uruguay or Portugal on the Rugby World Cup stage. Andy Farrell’s side did, however, post their record win (106-7) in test rugby against Portugal earlier this year.

The Ireland side will face a South American team in a pool for the first time since Argentina in 2007.

Portugal and Uruguay will meet for the first time at a Rugby World Cup.

Scotland’s only previous meetings with Uruguay and Portugal both came in the debut tournaments for those teams, in 1999 and 2007 respectively.

Portugal’s first-ever Rugby World Cup match was against Scotland, where they suffered a comprehensive 56-10 defeat.

Os Lobos have now been paired with at least two European teams in each of their three Rugby World Cup tournaments.

POOL A (NZL, AUS, CHI, HKG)

Australia and New Zealand are drawn together in a pool for the first time. This will be their first RWC meeting since the 2015 final won 34-17 by New Zealand at Twickenham.

The Wallabies will face a South American team for the fifth time in a pool after Argentina (1991 and 2003) and Uruguay (2015 and 2019).

Two of New Zealand’s titles came after facing a South American team in a pool (Argentina in 1987 and 2015).

Chile will face three new teams on the Rugby World Cup stage. They have a won one, lost one record against Hong Kong China, the only team in their pool that they have faced before.

Hong Kong China will be the 27th national team to play in a Men’s Rugby World Cup. The country’s women were also drawn in a pool with New Zealand for their Rugby World Cup debut in 2017, losing 121-0 in Dublin.

POOL  B (RSA, ITA, GEO, ROU)

South Africa are drawn in Pool B for the third successive tournament and have always been in a pool with at least one European nation. This is the second tournament in a row they will face three European nations after meeting Ireland, Scotland and Romania at RWC 2023.

Italy are drawn in a pool with Georgia for the first time.

Georgia will face South Africa for the first time since their debut tournament in 2003 in Australia, a match they lost 46-19 in Sydney.

Italy will meet the Springboks for the second time, having lost 49-3 in their RWC 2019 encounter in Japan.

It will be a third tournament in a row that Italy face an African opponent, having also met Namibia in 2019 and 2023.

Romania have lost to all three of their pool opponents at a Rugby World Cup (Georgia in 2011, Italy in 2007 and 2015 and South Africa in 1995 and 2023).

POOL C (ARG, FIJ, ESP, CAN)

Argentina and Fiji met in their first-ever Rugby World Cup match in 1987, the Pacific Islanders winning 28-9 in Hamilton. They have not been drawn in a pool together since then.

Los Pumas have never met Canada or Spain on the Rugby World Cup stage and it is 22 years since their last test against Canada, a 62-22 win in Buenos Aires. Argentina beat Spain 62-3 in August 2023.

Canada have faced their other two pool opponents this year, losing 24-23 to Spain in July and 63-10 to Fiji in September.

Fiji and Canada last met at a Rugby World Cup in 2007, the Fijians winning 29-16.

Canada will face a Pacific islands nation for the first time since they beat Tonga 25-20 at at RWC 2011.

Spain and Fiji met last month, the Pacific Islanders running out 41-33 winners in Malaga.

Spain faced a South American team in their first RWC match in 1999, losing 27-15. They will face these three teams for the first time on the Rugby World Cup stage.

POOL E (FRA, JPN, USA, SAM)

France will meet Samoa for the first time in a Rugby World Cup pool match.

Les Bleus have met Japan on two occasions, including when the tournament was last held in Australia in 2003.

France were among USA’s opponents at their last Rugby World Cup in 2019.

Japan and Samoa are drawn together for the fourth tournament in a row, the Brave Blossoms having won the three most recent encounters after a loss in 1999.

USA and Japan met in their first-ever Rugby World Cup match, the Men’s Eagles winning 21-18 at Ballymore in 1987. Two of the three RWC meetings between Japan and USA have come on Australian soil with USA also winning 39-26 in Gosford in 2003.

Samoa, who lost to USA in the RWC 2027 qualification process, will meet the Eagles in a tournament hosted outside of Europe for the first time, having met in 2007 (France) and 2015 (England).

POOL F (ENG, WAL, TGA, ZIM)

England will face Wales for the second time in a RWC pool, having lost 28-25 on home soil in 2015.

Tonga are one of two sides that England have scored a century of points against on the Rugby World Cup stage (101-10 in 1999). England also beat the ‘Ikale Tahi on two other occasions, in 2007 and 2019.

Wales and Tonga last met at a Rugby World Cup in 2003, the Welsh winning 27-20 in Canberra. They also faced off in the inaugural tournament in 1987, Wales winning 29-16.

Zimbabwe have three new Rugby World Cup opponents, taking the number of different teams they will have faced to eight (only Scotland twice). It will be the first time they face a Pacific Islands nation.

Tonga and Zimbabwe’s meeting at RWC 2027 will come 30 years after the ‘Ikale Tahi ran out 42-13 winners in their only previous test in Harare.

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Felix Jones is officially returning to the Springboks coaching team from 1 March 2025, reuniting with Rassie Erasmus after his departure from England, SA Rugby confirmed today. Jones, a key figure in South Africa’s 2019 and 2023 Rugby World Cup triumphs, had long been expected to make a move after leaving his role with England late last year.

His next step had been the subject of intense speculation, with many believing he could return to Munster Rugby, where he previously played and coached. However, Munster appointed Donk MacMillan as their new head coach yesterday, clearing the way for Jones to rejoin the Springboks.

Jones Reunites with Erasmus After England Departure 

Jones originally joined the Springboks ahead of the 2019 Rugby World Cup, where he played a crucial behind-the-scenes role in South Africa’s victory. His influence continued in 2023, with his tactical analysis and defensive expertise helping the Boks secure back-to-back titles.

After the World Cup, Jones moved to England Rugby under Steve Borthwick, but his stint was always viewed as a short-term arrangement. His departure from England had already been announced months ago, fueling speculation about his next move. While Munster was seen as a potential destination, Erasmus wasted no time in bringing him back into the South African setup.

What Jones Brings to the Springboks in 2025

Jones’ return is a significant boost for the Springboks as they prepare for key challenges, including the 2025 British & Irish Lions tour and the 2027 Rugby World Cup. His strengths in:

• Defensive structures

• Opposition analysis

• Game-planning and tactical adjustments

With his return to the Springboks now official, Jones will be expected to hit the ground running as South Africa looks to maintain its dominance on the world stage.

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Recent reports from New Zealand reveal a stunning revelation: World Rugby has seemingly conceded that Aaron Smith’s disallowed try should have been allowed.

The Disallowed Try Incident:

In the pivotal 54th minute of the final match, Richie Mo’unga, the All Blacks’ fly-half, orchestrated an impressive play, penetrating the Springboks’ defensive line before seamlessly connecting with Aaron Smith, who elegantly dove over the try line. However, the joyous moment was short-lived as TMO Tom Foley detected a knock-on by Ardie Savea during the preceding lineout, leading to the attacking set of possession.

The Controversy Unveiled

Referee Wayne Barnes, after careful scrutiny of the replays, made the decision to disallow the try. Nonetheless, a report from Stuff.co.nz suggests that World Rugby, in private discussions with the All Blacks, has recognized that Barnes’ ruling was actually outside the scope of the rules. Intriguingly, the global governing body seems hesitant to publicly acknowledge this

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After the historic  and dramatic 1995 tournament in South Africa, the World Cup in ’99 would always find it difficult to reach the heights of four years previous. Officially the 1999 World Cup was to be hosted by Wales, with the showpiece event taking place in the newly built Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. However, like the 1991 tournament, there were games spread over 18 different venues in England, France, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. 

Ireland had undergone a turbulent time since the 1995 World Cup. Gerry Murphy had stepped down after that tournament and was replaced by the IRFU’s first professional head-coach, former Garryowen and Sunday’s Well manager Murray Kidd. His reign lasted under a year and a half and he stepped down after a 29-37 home defeat to Italy in January 1997. Bath’s Brian Ashton was next to take up the Irish hot seat, but a Five Nations defeat by Scotland at Lansdowne Road the following March saw his make a quick exit. Connacht young Kiwi coach Warren Gatland was promoted to the role and almost got Ireland off to a winning start in Paris, only for a late Raphael  Ibanez try to win it 18-16 for the home side. 

The 1999 Five Nations saw Ireland lose at home to France by a single point (9-10), before winning 23-29 away to Wales (The match was played in Wembley stadium, London as the Arms Park had been demolished to make way for the building of the new Millennium Stadium). But that was to be the highpoint for Gatland’s side as they went on to lose 15-27 at home to England and lost 30-13 in their final game away to Scotland. 

New Format

The increase from sixteen teams at pervious World Cup tournaments to a twenty team competition this time around meant a change in format. An over elaborate system was devised with five pool of 4 teams each and a play-off round prior to the quarter-finals between the five pool runners-up and the best third placed team. The winners of the three play-off games would then face three pool winners, while in the fourth quarter-final two pool winners would be drawn against each other.

Ireland played host to the Pool E matches, spread between Lansdowne Road, Ravenhill and Thomond Park. Our group contained previous tournament winners Australia, the United States and Romania. 

2nd October 1999: Ireland 53 USA 8

First up for a Warren Gatland coached Irish side were the United States. Ireland were already three points to the good when Justin Bishop went over for the first of seven Irish tries after only 6 minutes. The Eagles scrum-half Kevin Dalzell gathered an Irish knock-on and raced home for a try for the visitors before a twenty year-old Brian O’Driscoll then scored his first World Cup try. Irish hooker Keith Wood scored four more tries for the Gatland’s side. While a penalty try, 6 conversions (2 Elwood, 4 Humphreys) and 2 David Humphreys penalties accounted for Ireland’s final tally of 53 points.

10th October 1999: Ireland 3 Australia 23

After an easy pool opener for the Irish there was a much tougher prospect in store against Rod McQueen’s Wallabies. Penalties from Matthew Burke and John Eales gave the visitors a 6 point lead at the break. Humphrey’s got Ireland off the mark with a 52nd minute penalty. However, second-half tries from Tim Horan and Ben Tune decided an encounter which was more memorable for the physicality of play rather than the quality of rugby. Aussie hooker Phil Kearns and Ireland’s Malcom O’Kelly and Trevor Brennan all needed medical attention due to blood injuries in a tough first half. Brennan would go on to trade blows with the Wallabies back row Toutai Kefu in the second half. Despite a stern dressing down from match official Clayton Thomas both men escaped without a card. 

After the game Warren Gatland expressed his frustration at the Irish performance: “I was very disappointed with our performance, although we were beaten by a very good Australian team,” said Gatland. “We didn’t really fire a shot. We let ourselves down out there.”

15th October 1999: Ireland 44 Romania 14

Gatland’s side returned to winning ways with an emphatic thirty point win over tier two side  Romania. Tries from Dion O’Cuinneagain, Tony Ward, Tom Tierney and a brace from Conor O’Shea along with 16 points from the boot of Eric Elwood and an injury time drop-goal from Brian O’Driscoll saw Ireland coast to victory. 

This sequence of results saw us finish second in group E and thereby qualify for a playoff game against Argentina who had finished second in Pool D behind Wales, after wins over Samoa and Japan for Los Pumas.

October 1999: Argentina 28  Ireland 24

The pre-quarter final playoff game took place in the French city of Lens and to this day for Irish rugby fans that venue is synonymous with this match. Ireland went into this match highly confident of victory. They had beaten the Argentines in a warm-up game at Lansdowne rd that August by 32-24 without a host of front-line players and there were expected to win this comfortably. 

Indeed Warren Gatland was somewhat over-confident before the game “We have one of the better scrums in the World Cup and we will be looking to dominate them. I don’t believe the Argentina scrum is as strong as it was ten to 12 years ago,” he said. Gatland didn’t start either  Paddy Johns or Peter Clohessy as he had one eye on the next round. In an interesting sub-plot Los Pumas were coached by former Canterbury and New Zealand coach, Alex “Grizz” Wyllie. During Wyllie’s time as All-Black head coach (1988-91) he failed to pick Waikato based Gatland in a full International for the All-Blacks. Gatland would end his playing career having started 17 times in non-international matches (mostly mid-week touring games) for the All-Blacks without picking up that illusive All-Black cap. 

As it transpired that confidence was misplaced. In a dour game Ireland never found any space and struggled to get the ball out wide as both packs dominated the play. A whistle happy Stuart Dickinson didn’t help matters and the game became a kicking contest. David Humphreys and Gonzalo Quesada struck seven penalties apiece. Ireland held a 6 point advantage at the break, leading by 15-9. However, their discipline let them down in the second half as the started conceding penalties with worrying regularity. The Argentines also had a similar issue giving Ireland’s Humphreys plenty of kicking practice, after 65mins Ireland were 24-18 ahead.

Diego Albanese crossed for the games only try on 72mins, when Quesada added the conversion it put the Argentines ahead for the first time in the match. Another penalty for Quesada five minutes later meant a four point gap and that only a late try would be enough to see Ireland snatch victory. They pummelled the Argentine line in desperation, Paul Wallace came within inches of scoring, but the Argentines held out and Dickinson’s full-time whistle brought scenes of unbridled joy for Los Pumas, while the Irish players and fans lay slummed in shock and despair.

Aftermath

The fallout from Ireland’s exit wouldn’t be immediate, but it would be bitter. Warren Gatland’s tenure as Irish coach survived a post World Cup vote of confidence from the IRFU committee. But it was only a temporary reprieve as the axe fell in November 2001. The timing of the sacking was bizarre given the improvement Ireland had made since the disappointing World Cup exit. Gatland had undoubtedly improved Ireland’s fortunes and while his 18 wins from 38 games doesn’t initially look impressive it was a more successful ratio than either of his predecessors. The fact that his assistant Eddie O’Sullivan was appointed to take over from him only added to the sense that the motivations were political rather than base purely on performance.  

Irish World Cup Squad 1999

Conor O’Shea, Gordon D’Arcy, Justin Bishop, James Topping, Matt Mostyn, Kevin Maggs, Brian O’Driscoll, Jonathan Bell, Mike Mullins, David Humphreys, Eric Elwood, Tom Tierney, Brian O’Meara, Paul Wallace, Peter Clohessy, Reggie Corrigan, Justin Fitzpatrick, Angus McKeen, Keith Wood, Ross Nesdale, Paddy Johns, Jeremy Davidson, Malcolm O’Kelly, Bob Casey, Dion O’Cuinneagain, Eric Miller, David Corkery, Trevor Brennan, Andy Ward, Kieron Dawson. Gordon D’Arcy was added as a late replacement for the injured Girvan Dempsey. 

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Farrell was part of the backroom that led Ireland into the last Rugby World Cup in Tokyo in which they were knocked out at the quarter-final stage once again after being underwhelming.

The Englishman then took the reins after Joe Schmidt left the role and has been building towards France 2023 since.

The former England defence coach has spoken about the tournament, 23 months out from it’s first match.

“Like I said before, why can’t we dare to dream?” Farrell said at this afternoon’s press conference.

“Why can’t we? I’m sure that there’s five or six or seven teams, it might be 10 teams that’ll be in the same position by the World Cup but why don’t we embrace the challenge and use that challenge to better our journey along the way?

“That’s the message to the players, so let’s get started on that.”

The side are using the competition as motivation on the road to it but the Ireland boss does not believe the players will look at their short-term goals differently as a result.

The team have three Autumn internationals to look forward to this November, including a first game against the All Blacks since the Rugby World Cup in Japan and a first fixture between the sides in Dublin since Ireland’s famous victory over them in the year before.

Sexton and co. also have trips to Twickenham and the Stade de France to focus on in next year’s Six Nations.

“If you look at the challenges that we’ve got again this year, obviously I’ve just gone through the three campaigns, but at the same time we go to Twickenham, we go to Paris for two away games as well.

“They’re all going to be opportunities for us to learn, and yes, along this journey there’s going to be bumps, but that’s great for our learning, our experiences, and our memory along the way to get there.

“The pressures of players desperately wanting to represent their country in a World Cup is how it should be, and I’m sure some fall by the wayside over the next two years but hopefully most of them will flourish.”

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Carty will earn his second cap for the USA Eagles when he starts against Andy Farrell’s Ireland side in front of 6,000 fans at the Aviva Stadium. You can visit lots of sites to get great offers. 

The 23-year-old’s immediate family, who he has not seen since January, will be in attendance for the match.

“Obviously, it’s a bit of a strange one but I’m trying to treat it as any other game,” Carty said.

The fly-half made his debut for the national side last weekend against England in a 43-29 loss.

The Athlone native scored nine points to open his account with the United States.

Carty was happy with how his debut went after helping his side to put a high amount of points past Eddie Jones’ England.

“[My debut] was pretty cool. I was pretty nervous beforehand. Obviously, it was a big game – playing England at Twickenham, but it was really enjoyable.”

He noted that the USA camp has made him feel welcome in the setup.

The opportunity to play for America was an idea that helped entice the Westmeath man to ‘the land of opportunity.’

The thought of playing at a Rugby World Cup was also an attractive pull factor for the former Buccaneers Player of the Year.

He exclaimed that “it would be pretty cool to do that” and spoke of his pride seeing his older brother, Ireland international Jack Carty accomplish one of his lifelong dreams.

He brought the lessons that the likes of Colm ‘Cullie’ Tucker, Mossy Lawlor and Eric Elwood taught him at the Connacht Academy to the West Coast of the USA at the start of 2021.

The Connacht academy prospect joined Darren Coleman’s LA Giltinis, after almost joining Coleman’s former side Gordon, a Sydney-based Australian side.

Major League Rugby has surpassed Carty’s expectations and he is enjoying his rugby across the Atlantic Ocean.

“I’ve actually been surprised by the level of it…every team has got better as the year went on.”

He is also enjoying each and every minute of sunshine by the beach in Los Angeles, something Ireland cannot grant the fly-half on a consistent basis – a welcome culture shock.

Carty trains alongside Australian rugby legends Adam-Ashley Cooper and Matt Giteau in LA and has learnt a lot from them in the several months he has been with the club.

“It’s been great to pick their brains and learn from them and get to play alongside them.”

Irish brothers Harry and Sean McNulty are also on the books of the MLR side, with the former heading to the Olympics as part of the Ireland Sevens side.

The fly-half said the team watched the Ireland Sevens qualify from San Diego and that he is very happy for his teammate to be going to the Olympics after being an ‘original’ of the IRFU Sevens programme.

The support the Giltinis players have received while in club colours has also impressed Carty.

The games are pretty loud and [the fans] are pretty passionate about it.”

However, he has not forgotten Ireland.

The US star still keeps an eye on the Gaelic scores and noted his disappointment after Roscommon’s season-ending defeat to Galway in the Connacht Senior Football Championship.

His roommate in the US Camp, Aran Islands native Paul Mullen, likes to remind him of it.

He also hopes to see an old teammate get out on the pitch for his first Irish cap on Saturday night.

“Paul Boyle, it’s good to see him playing well…hope he gets to play on Saturday.”

However, Carty’s eyes are placed firmly on what’s ahead and more than 6,000 pairs of eyes will be placed firmly on him.

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