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The English side together with their Welsh counterparts have been drawn in an identical group for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, setting up a major pool stage encounter in Australia. Completing the group in Pool F by the Tongan Ikale Tahi and the Zimbabwean Sables.

This pairing mirrors their famous clash in the pool stages of the 2015 tournament, where Wales' victory at England's home ground contributed to the English team's shock early exit.

Key Group Pairings

Ireland alongside Scotland have likewise been drawn in a group once again, replicating the scenario from the 2023 edition. On that occasion, they secured a convincing win, with their opponents failing to progress to the knockout stages.

Los Teros and Portugal, who each impressed as underdogs in France, complete that Pool D.

Notably, the victors of both Pool D and Pool F are kept apart from defending champions and world number one South Africa before the showpiece match, assuming the South Africans win their own group.

Knockout Ramifications

If the groups play out according to the current world rankings, further leading contenders like the All Blacks and Les Bleus would remain separated from the likes of England and Ireland until the championship decider.

In that scenario, Argentina would be the other highly-seeded nation on the same side of the elimination bracket as those northern hemisphere teams.

Hosts Face Major Opener

Hosts Australia find themselves together with their trans-Tasman rivals and three-time winners New Zealand in Group A.

The Wallabies will open the World Cup in the city of Perth on October 1st, 2027 in a marquee match designed to jump-start the competition.

In other groups, holders the Springboks have been paired with Italy, the Lelos and the Oaks. France are in a pool with the Brave Blossoms, 2031 hosts the USA and Samoa.

Larger Tournament for 2027

Argentina will face Fiji, Spain and Canada as the World Cup expands to twenty-four nations from the 20 who took part in France.

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

While the winner of Pool F may be kept apart from some of the rugby's biggest beasts initially, they will meet the second-placed team from Pool B – most likely Italy – in the last 16.

A total of four of the remaining six group winners will play a team that finished third from the initial group phase.

RWC 2027 Draw

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