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England together with their Welsh counterparts have been drawn in the same group for the 2027 RWC, promising a major pool stage clash in Australia. Completing the group in Pool F by Tonga and the Zimbabwean Sables.

This pairing recalls their memorable clash in the pool stages of the 2015 tournament, where a Welsh win at England's home ground contributed to the hosts' shock early exit.

Other Notable Pool Draws

Ireland alongside Scotland have likewise been drawn in a pool together, replicating the scenario from the France 2023 tournament. In that tournament, Ireland secured a convincing victory, with Scotland unable to progress to the knockout stages.

Uruguay and Os Lobos, who each made a strong impression as underdogs in France, round out that Pool D.

Notably, the victors of these two groups cannot meet defending champions and world number one South Africa until the final, presuming the South Africans top their own group.

Tournament Implications

Should the groups play out according to the current global standings, further leading contenders like the All Blacks and Les Bleus would remain separated from both the English and the Irish all the way to the championship decider.

Under those circumstances, Argentina would be the other highly-seeded nation on that half of the knockout draw as England and Ireland.

Hosts Face Blockbuster Opener

Hosts the Wallabies have been drawn together with their great rivals and triple champions the All Blacks in Group A.

The Wallabies will kick off the tournament in the city of Perth on 1 October 2027 in a blockbuster fixture designed to jump-start the event.

In other groups, holders the Springboks have been paired with Italy, the Lelos and Romania. The French team are in a pool with the Brave Blossoms, future hosts the United States and Samoa.

Expanded Format for 2027

Argentina will take on Fiji, Los Leones and the Canadian team as the World Cup expands to twenty-four nations from the 20 who took part in France.

The 2027 tournament will introduce a last-16 round for the first time in Rugby World Cup history.

While the winner of England and Wales's group may be kept apart from some of the game's heavyweights early on, they will have to face the second-placed team from Group B – probably Italy – in the first knockout round.

A total of four of the other six group winners will face a third-placed side from the initial group phase.

Rugby World Cup 2027 Groups

Pool A

• New Zealand
• Australia
• Chile
• Hong Kong

Pool B

• South Africa
• Italy
• Georgia
• Romania

Pool C

• Argentina
• Fiji
• Spain
• Canada

Pool D

• Ireland
• Scotland
• Uruguay
• Portugal

Pool E

• France
• Japan
• USA
• Samoa

Pool F

• England
• Wales
• Tonga
• Zimbabwe