"Kicking off on 1 October 2027, the men's event will feature 24 teams instead of 20, and will be the first to include a round of 16. Each tournament since 2003 has included 20 competing nations, and the previous format moved straight from the pool stage to the quarter-finals. There will be a total of 52 matches in 2027, up from 48. Instead of four pools of five there are six pools of four."
"The eventual winners will still be obliged to play seven matches to claim the trophy, but will play one pool match fewer, before the last-16 game for a place in the last eight. The top two in the six pools qualify for the knockouts, plus the four best third-placed teams. Teams are split into four bands dependent on their world ranking in the draw that takes place at 9am UK time on Wednesday."
"As hosts, Australia are automatically assigned to Pool A, and will play in the opening game at Perth Stadium, but everything else is up for grabs. The Wallabies had a final chance to climb the rankings last month in the autumn internationals: but a winless trip to Europe for Joe Schmidt's side confirmed their Band 2 status with Scotland, Fiji, Italy, Wales and Japan."
The 2027 men's tournament expands from 20 to 24 teams and introduces a round of 16, increasing matches from 48 to 52. The format switches from four pools of five to six pools of four, with the top two in each pool plus the four best third-placed teams advancing to the knockouts. Eventual winners still play seven matches but have one fewer pool game before the last-16. Teams are allocated into four bands based on world rankings for a draw at 9am UK time on Wednesday. Hosts Australia are automatically in Pool A and will open at Perth Stadium.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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