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The English side and Wales have been drawn in an identical group for the World Cup in 2027, promising a major pool stage encounter in Australia. They are joined in Pool F by the Tongan Ikale Tahi and the Zimbabwean Sables.

This draw mirrors their memorable clash in the pool stages of the 2015 World Cup, where Wales' victory at England's home ground contributed to the hosts' surprise group stage elimination.

Other Notable Group Pairings

Ireland alongside Scotland also share a pool once again, just as the scenario from the 2023 edition. On that occasion, they secured a 36-14 victory, with Scotland unable to progress to the quarter-finals.

Los Teros and Portugal, both impressed as surprise packages in the last World Cup, complete that same group.

Significantly, the victors of both Pool D and Pool F cannot meet holders and world number one the Springboks before the final, assuming the Springboks top their assigned pool.

Tournament Ramifications

If the pools play out in line with the current world rankings, other top favourites like the All Blacks and Les Bleus would also be kept apart from the likes of England and Ireland all the way to the final.

In that scenario, Los Pumas would be the other top-ranked nation on the same half of the knockout draw as England and Ireland.

Tournament Hosts Draw Blockbuster Opener

Hosts the Wallabies find themselves alongside their trans-Tasman rivals and triple champions the All Blacks in Pool A.

The Wallabies will kick off the World Cup in Perth on October 1st, 2027 in a blockbuster fixture aimed at jump-start the competition.

Elsewhere, holders South Africa have drawn the Azzurri, the Lelos and Romania. France are grouped with Japan, 2031 hosts the United States and Samoa.

Larger Format for 2027

Los Pumas will face Fiji, Spain and Canada as the World Cup grows to twenty-four nations from the 20 who competed in France.

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

Although the winner of England and Wales's group may be kept apart from some of the game's biggest beasts early on, they will have to face the runner-up from Pool B – most likely the Italians – in the last 16.

Four of the remaining six pool winners will face a team that finished third from the initial group phase.

RWC 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