Pablo Bouza sets Spain's sights on Rugby World Cup 2027 knockout stage

Pablo Bouza wants Spain to reach the knockout stages at Rugby World Cup 2027 in Australia — a target he considers the natural next step after ending the nation’s 28-year absence from the tournament.

The Argentine coach, a former Pumas second-row who previously served as an assistant at the 2019 and 2023 World Cups with Argentina and Uruguay respectively, has overseen 25 matches in charge of Spain, recording wins over Romania, Canada, Tonga, Uruguay, USA and Portugal along the way. Qualification for Australia 2027 was secured through a stronger showing at the 2024 Rugby Europe Championship, a particularly significant achievement given that administrative errors had denied Spain a place at the previous two World Cups.

“Tranquillity is the best word to describe what I felt when we qualified,” Bouza said. “The way for Spain to qualify for Australia 2027 was straightforward. However, I also understood there was a heavy load of expectation and anxiety from everyone. It was our first goal, and having accomplished that, we have moved on to the second phase of the process: getting ready for the demands of competing in a World Cup.”

The 2025 Rugby Europe Championship did not go to plan. Spain were beaten by Portugal in the semi-final and had to settle for bronze, watching Os Lobos go on to stun Georgia and claim the title. Bouza was measured in his assessment. “I have to give credit to Portugal, while also recognising that we weren’t able to course-correct our tactical mistake,” he said, adding that across his full tenure only four matches — against Ireland A, Georgia in February 2025, and the final two REC fixtures against Portugal and Romania — left him dissatisfied.

Attention has already shifted to the summer. Spain will travel to North America in July to face Canada, Tonga and the USA in the opening three rounds of the inaugural Nations Cup. “We are facing three tough challenges, especially because our games will be played in North America,” Bouza acknowledged. “At the same time, we will have to find solutions for potential absences in the team, but we will be ready for the challenge.”

Beyond those fixtures, Bouza is keen to test his squad against tier-one opposition before the World Cup arrives. Spain are set to have training sessions with Scotland in June, with further high-profile fixtures potentially in the pipeline. “As we prepare for the World Cup, we need to challenge ourselves by competing against top-level teams that can test our game plan in ways our current rivals don’t,” he said.

For a nation that has spent more than a quarter of a century on the outside of rugby’s showpiece event, simply returning to the World Cup stage represents a milestone. For Bouza, however, it is only the beginning.