Portugal will look to win more admirers and cause some upsets in their third Rugby World Cup campaign after impressing at France 2023.
Portugal are embarking on their third Men’s Rugby World Cup campaign and will be looking to win more admirers and upset higher-ranked opposition with their adventurous approach, as they did at France 2023.
Having won the Rugby Europe Men's Championship in 2026, their first title since 2004, the Portuguese are inspired to create further history when Australia 2027 kicks off.
Their unpredictability, combined with a knack for turning defence into devastating counter-attack, has the potential to create problems for pool opponents Ireland, Scotland and Uruguay.
But if Os Lobos are to reach the knockout stage, they will need to refine their scrum and maintain their discipline.
Players to watch
Rodrigo Marta
How do you stop Rodrigo Marta? A question that many teams have asked, but only a few have found answers to. The Colomiers wing’s devastating speed is only matched by his determination to render any defence redundant, as evidenced by 42 tries in his first 51 tests.
Nicolás Martins
Martins is a talented loose forward who brings a unique element to Portugal's tactics, occasionally operating as an auxiliary centre. Consistently ranks among the most effective tacklers in Os Lobos ranks.
Samuel Marques
Marques will be 38 when Australia 2027 comes around and it will be the scrum-half’s last hurrah after a stellar career with Os Lobos. Whether for his virtuoso kicking game or his vision as a game manager, Marques is crucial to Portugal achieving their full potential.
RWC icon
Vasco Uva was the face of the 2007 Lobos, with his undying passion and unyielding mindset inspiring future generations of Portuguese players.
The number eight captained Portugal in their first three pool games before a fractured hand kept him out of their final game against Romania. By then he had racked up an ocean of tackles, taking down giants like New Zealand’s Jerry Collins and Italy legend Sergio Parisse with visible relish.
RWC cult hero
The one and only Mike Barbosa Tadjer. The French-born hooker had to wait 11 years after his debut to make it to a Rugby World Cup but certainly made up for it at France 2023.
With his bald, shaven head and beard, Tadjer cut an imposing figure and embodied Portugal’s trailblazing style, even attempting the odd kick to touch and winning the hearts and minds of rugby fans.
Was visibly overwhelmed after helping Os Lobos to victory over Fiji, which proved to be his final test before retirement.
Head coach
Simon Mannix arrived in 2024 and in under two years, steered Portugal to a first Rugby Europe Men's Championship title in 22 years.
The former All Black has helped Os Lobos regain their former strength, establishing a reliable foundation in defence to complement a deadly attack capable of upsetting higher-ranked opposition.
Memorable match
Their final pool match of France 2023 against Fiji, at the Stadium de Toulouse, was a joyous day for Portuguese rugby fans and one of the most remarkable of the last Men's Rugby World Cup.
From 3-3 at half-time, Portugal twice opened up a seven-point lead with converted tries from Raffaele Storti and Francisco Fernandes, only to be pegged back by Fiji, who then edged 23-17 in front with four minutes left.
But Raffaele Costa Storti broke clear up the right flank and fed fellow wing Marta to dive over for a try. Marques, who had missed a late penalty to beat Georgia at the same stadium earlier in the tournament, landed the winning conversion with barely a minute left.
Pool journey
4 October, 2027 v Ireland (Sydney│Gadigal)
11 October v Uruguay (Newcastle│Awabakal-Worimi)
17 October v Scotland (Brisbane│Meeanjin)
Did you know…?
Portugal’s 1974 revolution began with a song that finished last in that year’s Eurovision Song Contest.
On the night of 24 April, Paulo de Carvalho's ballad E Depois do Adeus began to be played on the radio, the first of two signals for the military to make their move – the second being Zeca Afonso’s Grândola, Vila Morena.
With both songs being played one after another in a span of a few hours, the revolution’s wheels started to turn and, on 25 April, the dictatorship crumbled and Portugal’s transition to democracy had begun.
RWC history
Pool stage (2) – 2007, 2023
Portugal made their first Rugby World Cup appearance in 2007, finishing last in their pool after defeats by Scotland, New Zealand, Italy and Romania.
They had to wait 16 years for their second tournament at France 2023, where they earned a draw against Georgia and then a stunning first RWC win, 24-23 against Fiji, to finish fourth in Pool C, behind Wales, Fiji and Australia but ahead of European rivals Georgia.
Key stats
Portugal will be appearing in consecutive Rugby World Cups for the first time, with their first-ever win at the tournament coming during their final match at RWC 2023 (24-23 v Fiji).
Portugal have scored at least one try in each of their eight matches at Men’s Rugby World Cup, one of just two teams to have crossed the line in all their matches at the tournament (also Zimbabwe, in six matches across the 1987 and 1991 editions).
RWC Fast facts
- RWC debut: 2007
- RWC best finish: Fourth in pool (2023)
- Most RWC appearances: 23 players (all 4)
- Top RWC try scorer: Raffaele Storti (3)
- Top points scorer: Samuel Marques (24)
