This is how the world rankings look after the final Tests of 2025 ahead of the Rugby World Cup draw
World Rugby have confirmed the latest world rankings – the final standings that will be used for Wednesday’s 2027 Rugby World Cup draw in Sydney.
Every nation’s position is now locked in ahead of Wednesday’s event, with Wales’ mauling by South Africa having no bearing on their position as the 11th-ranked in the world.
Last week, Japan’s dramatic 25-23 win over Georgia proved decisive, lifting them into 12th place and second-seed status while Georgia dropped from 11th to 13th.
World champions South Africa will headline the draw as the number-one ranked team, strengthening that position after hammering Steve Tandy’s side in Cardiff on Saturday.
The tournament has expanded to 24 teams, and for the first time there will be a round of 16, meaning more sides than ever will progress beyond the pool stage.
The draw for the World Cup will take place on Wednesday, December 3, from 9am GMT.
Seedings for the 2027 Rugby World Cup draw
Band 1: South Africa, New Zealand, England, Ireland, France, Argentina Band 2: Australia, Fiji, Scotland, Italy, Wales, Japan Band 3: Georgia, Spain, Uruguay, USA, Chile, Tonga Band 4: Samoa, Portugal, Romania, Hong Kong, Canada, Zimbabwe
With the new knockout structure, the top two from each pool will reach the round of 16, joined by the four best third-placed sides.
From there, the draw becomes more complex, with pool winners facing third-place qualifiers in some groups, while others face runners-up depending on their pool.
The layout has already sparked debate, with some observers suggesting parts of the bracket could favour certain nations – for example, Pool A’s winner could meet Pool B’s winner as early as the quarter-finals, while Pool E’s winner would face a second-placed team in both the last-16 and quarter-finals.
Latest World Rugby rankings (Dec 1, 2025)
- South Africa – 93.94
- New Zealand – 90.33
- England – 89.41
- Ireland – 87.97
- France – 87.24
- Argentina – 84.97
- Australia – 81.53
- Fiji – 81.14
- Scotland – 80.22
- Italy – 78.98
- Wales – 74.23
- Japan – 74.09
- Georgia – 73.18
- Uruguay – 69.19
- Spain – 69.01
- USA – 68.26
- Chile – 66.72
- Tonga – 66.66
- Samoa – 66.42
- Portugal – 64.98