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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:
13. Rory Hutchinson
Will fight it out with Huw Jones to partner Tuipulotu in the centre. Jones has been Townsend’s go-to man at 13 but injuries ruled him out of much of his final season at Glasgow. Now in France with Toulon and faces a fight to dislodge Hutchinson who helped Northampton to the English title last season. | SNS Group / SRU Photo: SNS
14. Darcy Graham
Currently injured but should be fit for the Six Nations. He and Edinburgh team-mate Duhan van der Merwe lost their Scotland places to Steyn and Jamie Dobie last season but Graham came back strongly after Dobie was injured. Graham’s attacking brilliance could give him the edge over Dobie but it’ll be a tough call for Townsend. | SNS Group Photo: SNS
15. Blair Kinghorn
Another close call, with Kyle Rowe staking his claim to play full-back during the Nations Championship games in the summer. Kinghorn has flourished in France with Toulouse and is also now a Test Lion and should be first choice at 15 in Australia. | SNS Group / SRU Photo: SNS
16. Forward replacements
Hooker remains an issue for Scotland and Townsend will be hoping Turner flourishes at Newcastle to provide back-up to Ashman. Jamie Ritchie, pictured, is a great back-row option and Max Williamson provides thrust and power at lock | SNS Group / SRU Photo: SNS