Thursday marks one year to go until the 2027 Rugby World Cup begins in Australia.
It will be the biggest version of the tournament ever staged, with 24 nations taking part, four more than the 2023 edition.
The expanded competition means changes to the format and the teams will be split into six groups of four in the pool stage. There will be an extra round of knockout matches next year. The top two in each pool and the four best third-placed sides will go through to the round of 16.
Scotland have been drawn in Pool D with Ireland, Portugal and Uruguay, the third time in a row they have been paired with the Irish in the group stage.
It’s Gregor Townsend’s third crack at the World Cup as Scotland head coach and likely to be his last, with his contract expiring after the tournament. The Scots have failed to make it out of the pool phase in each of the last two World Cups but that it is likely to change next year given the new format.
However, Scotland could be up against France in the last 16 if they finish runners-up in Pool D. That’s why their game against Ireland in Perth on October 10 is so important. Their other group matches, against Uruguay in Melbourne on October 3 and Portugal in Brisbane on October 17, should be more straightforward.
Here’s how Townsend’s team could line up at the tournament against the big guns:
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1. Pierre Schoeman
Long established first-choice loosehead prop, although was benched for last season’s Calcutta Cup match, with Nathan McBeth starting. Will be his second World Cup. Back-up likely to come from McBeth and Rory Sutherland. | SNS Group / SRU Photo: SNS
2. Ewan Ashman
Scotland’s highest try-scoring forward. Started recent Nations Championship games against South Africa and Argentina but lost his place to George Turner during the Six Nations. Turner will turn 35 during the World Cup but still a contender for a starting berth. Young hookers Gregor Hiddleston, Seb Stephen, Harri Morris and Paddy Harrison likely to vie for a squad place. | SNS Group / SRU Photo: SNS
3. Zander Fagerson
Will be his third Rugby World Cup and still the man to anchor the Scotland scrum. D’arcy Rae, Elliot Millar Mills and Will Hurd are also in the mix but Fagerson remains out in front. | SNS Group / SRU Photo: SNS
4. Gregor Brown
Brings the speed and skill of a back-rower to the second row, according to Townsend who rates the Glasgow Warriors forward very highly. The Aberdonian is versatile enough to also play at six and eight but most likely to be at lock in Australia. | SNS Group Photo: SNS