USA and Georgia lead the pack as World Rugby Nations Cup resumes with title races wide open

The World Rugby Nations Cup resumes this month with the United States and Georgia sitting clear at the top of their respective pools after three rounds, though Chile, Portugal and a resurgent Romania are closing in as the competition heads to Europe and Asia.

USA and Georgia set the early pace

Both the Eagles and the Lelos finished July’s opening block with three wins and 14 points apiece, claiming bonus points in every match except against Portugal and Samoa respectively. Fly-half Luka Matkava has been the creative engine for Georgia, while Christopher Hilsenbeck has pulled the strings for the United States. Winger Perry Mayo made a particularly sharp impression for the Eagles, with Tornike Jalagonia, Kapeli Pifeleti and Ilia Spanderashvili also among the standout performers across the two leading sides.

Portugal and Chile ready to pounce

Portugal arrive into the November fixtures with genuine title ambitions. Rodrigo Marta — the Top 14’s second-highest try-scorer — was absent for July’s trip to North America, yet the Lobos still defeated Canada and Tonga. With Marta back alongside Manuel Cardoso Pinto, Nicolás Martins, Cody Lee Thomas, Manuel Vareiro and Tomás Appleton, Portugal’s attacking threat is considerably sharper.

Chile, who face Portugal on Saturday, carry their own momentum into the second phase. Pablo Lemoine’s Cóndores delivered two impressive performances against Romania and Hong Kong China in July, and with Lucas Berti, Rodrigo Fernández, Matías Garafulic, Martín Singren and Diego Escobar available, they have the firepower to cause upsets against Portugal, Spain and Zimbabwe.

Romania’s quiet rise and Hong Kong’s historic moment

Romania have quietly positioned themselves as potential spoilers. David Gérard’s side drew against Uruguay and snatched a last-play victory over Samoa in July, with a dynamic backline accounting for nine of their 15 tries. As their set-piece continues to develop, at least two wins in November appears a realistic target.

The tournament’s most dramatic moment so far, however, belonged to Hong Kong China. Trailing Uruguay by two points with seconds remaining, Logan Asplin’s side won a penalty just inside Los Teros’ half and converted it to claim a historic first-ever victory over the South Americans — a result that underlined exactly why this competition exists.

The bigger picture

With Rugby World Cup 2027 on the horizon, the Nations Cup is providing emerging nations with competitive, high-stakes rugby at a level that genuinely tests their development. Matches this month span Lisbon, Angoulême and Hong Kong, and with pool winners still to be decided in both groups, the competition’s most consequential moments are still to come.