The dust has barely settled on the 2026 Six Nations, and rugby fans are already looking ahead to the World Cup in 2027.
The fixtures of the 2027 Six Nations have been released, setting up another incredible Super Saturday, finishing with Ireland vs France in Dublin.
What will the 2027 Six Nations winner mean for the 2027 World Cup? How have the past winners of the Six Nations in a World Cup fared?
Europe’s history in the Rugby World Cup
The Rugby World Cup hasn’t been a happy hunting ground for Europe’s best. There has only been one World Cup win from 10 editions of the World Cup for European sides.
In 2015, for example, despite being hosted in England, not a single Six Nations team won a knockout stage game.
England, of course, were those famous winners in 2003, with the iconic Jonny Wilkinson drop goal sealing the title in extra time.
Statistical deep dive: How have the Six Nations teams fared?
| Year | World Cup Winner | Six Nations Winner | World Cup finishing place of the Six Nations winner | Best performing Six Nations side in the World Cup | Place in Six Nations |
| 2023 | South Africa | Ireland (Grand Slam) | Quarter-Finals | England | 4th |
| 2019 | South Africa | Wales (Grand Slam) | 4th | England | 2nd |
| 2015 | New Zealand | Ireland | Quarter-Finals | Wales/France/Ireland/Scotland | 3rd/4th/1st/6th |
| 2011 | New Zealand | England | Quarter-Finals | France | 2nd |
| 2007 | South Africa | France | 4th | England | 2nd |
| 2003 | England | England | Winners | England | 1st |
| 1999 | Australia | Scotland | Quarter-Finals | France | 2nd |
| 1995 | South Africa | England (Grand Slam) | 4th | France | 3rd |
| 1991 | Australia | England (Grand Slam) | 2nd | England | 2nd |
| 1987 | New Zealand | France (Grand Slam) | 2nd | France | 2nd |
France held the position of dominance amongst the European sides between the first World Cup and 2015. They reached three finals and finished third in 1995.
England have been the other team who have done well in the Rugby World Cup. They have reached four World Cup finals but have only won the tournament in that famous 2003 final.
The Rugby World Cup curse for Ireland, Scotland, Wales and Italy
Ireland are the famous side who have problems in the Rugby World Cup as they have never made it past the quarter-finals. Scotland have faced a similar plight to Ireland but have reached the semi-finals once. In 1991, they finished fourth, beating Samoa in the quarter-finals.
Wales have been a little more hit and miss than the others. They have made it to the semi-finals three times. In 2011, Sam Warburton was famously sent off against France in the semis, while in 2019, they beat France in the quarter finals before losing to the winners, South Africa.
Italy have never qualified for the knockout stages of the Rugby World Cup, and this will be a goal for them in the 2027 World Cup.
