Favourable Rugby World Cup draw gives Ireland clear chance of ending knockout pain

A potential quarter-final against Argentina, should they negotiate the pool stage and round of 16 successfully, looms for Ireland. 

For the third consecutive Rugby World Cu, Ireland will play Scotland in the pool stage. Scotland have not beaten Ireland since 2017. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

If Andy Farrell is going to make history by leading Ireland into the business end of a Men’s Rugby World Cup after 40 years of knockout pain, Wednesday’s pool draw for Australia 2027 has provided the pathway.

And yet again it is a match against Scotland that represents the pivotal fork in the road. For the third tournament in a row, Farrell will go head-to-head with Gregor Townsend as the Six Nations rivalry moves on from Yokohama and Saint-Denis to the land Down Under with Portugal and Uruguay the other competitors making up Pool D of an expanded 24-team competition.