“It’s a different set-up this time compared to the last two World Cups but you want to get out of the pool by winning it,” Townsend said.
“It’s an easier road to the quarter-finals and semi-finals if you can win your pool, and obviously Ireland are a team that has beaten us pretty regularly the last few years, so we’ll have to be better to beat them.”
The tournament takes place in Australia on 1 October – 13 November 2027, in seven venues in seven cities, and has been expanded to feature 24 teams for the first time, with six pools of four teams instead of four pools of five.
The top two teams from each pool, along with the four best third-place teams, will progress to the knockout stage – a first-ever last 16.
Should Scotland win Pool D, they will face a side finishing third in Pool B, E or F, which could mean matches against Georgia, United States or Tonga should those groups go the way of current rankings.
Overcome one of those and Argentina could be their quarter-final opponents if, as expected, the South Americans win Pool C and beat another third-placed side.
However, if Scotland finish runners-up in their group, they are likely to come against France, who will be favourites to win Pool E.
The full match schedule will be announced on 3 February 2026, with pre-sale tickets for registered fans available from 18 February.
Some venues are also yet to be confirmed.
