#RWC 2025: North dominance
In the second instalment of getting to know the 2025 World Cup Pools, Rugby365 will look at Pool B.
Drama, rivalry, and a whole lot of rugby await in Pool B, which consists of Canada, Scotland, Wales, and Fiji.
Canada is ranked second in the World Rankings and is regarded as one of the contenders when the World Cup kicks off in England.
They are coached by Kévin Rouet, who joined the side in 2022.
Under his guidance, the Canadian side has become an incredible force on the world stage.
They secured a fourth-place finish at the delayed World Cup in New Zealand (2022), pushing England to a tight 26–19 semifinal before narrowly missing bronze.
The side secured the Pacific Four Series title in 2024, beating the Black Ferns for the first time.
In 2025, they finished as runners-up after a 27-all draw with the Black Ferns.
The North Americans have yet to lift the World Cup title.
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Scotland has come a long way since their 12-Test losing streak in 2022.
It has been a major turnaround, with the team also achieving an all-time high ranking of fifth in the world earlier this year.
While they are currently ranked seventh, it does not mean they haven’t been impressive.
In 2024, they were runners-up in WXV 2 and managed to qualify for the 2025 World Cup showpiece.
In 2025, Bryan Easson’s team finished fifth in the Six Nations, securing two wins (against Wales and Ireland).
The most notable victory was certainly their 26-19 win over Ireland.
The side will kick off their World Cup campaign against Six Nations rivals Wales in Manchester.
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Wales have consistently ranked in the top 10 in the world, with a very rich rugby history.
They have also made some big strides off the field. On September 26, 2024, the Welsh Rugby Union awarded full-time contracts to 37 senior players for the 2024–25 season.
Wales also have a new coach in the form of Sean Lynn. The former Gloucester‑Hartpury coach was appointed in January 2025 on a three‑year deal.
His side suffered a heavy defeat to England during the 2025 Six Nations season, but it gave them valuable insight heading into the showpiece.
They have appeared in eight World Cups to date, hosting the inaugural event in 1991.
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Fiji secured a spot at the 2025 World Cup after winning the Oceania Championship in 2024, beating Samoa 27–13 in the final.
They are gradually growing into a force in the Pacific.
Still in the early stages of their global rugby journey, Fiji made their World Cup debut in 2022 (the delayed 2021 tournament in New Zealand).
They earned their first World Cup win in 2022, beating South Africa 21–17.
Coached by Ioan Cunningham, Fiji head into the showpiece ranked 15th and will certainly want to build on their previous performance at the tournament.
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Pool B Fixtures:
Saturday, August 23
Scotland vs Wales
Canada vs Fiji
Saturday, August 30
Canada vs Wales
Scotland vs Fiji
Saturday, September 6
Canada vs Scotland
Wales vs Fiji
