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The English side and their Welsh counterparts have been drawn in an identical pool for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, setting up a major pool stage clash in Australia. Completing the group in Pool F by Tonga and Zimbabwe.

This pairing mirrors their infamous clash in the group phase of the 2015 World Cup, where Wales' victory at England's home ground played a part in the hosts' surprise group stage elimination.

Other Notable Group Pairings

Ireland and the Scots have likewise been drawn in a group together, replicating the scenario from the France 2023 tournament. On that occasion, they secured a 36-14 win, with Scotland failing to advance to the quarter-finals.

Los Teros and Os Lobos, who each made a strong impression as surprise packages in the last World Cup, round out that same group.

Notably, the winners of these two groups cannot meet defending champions and top-ranked South Africa until the final, presuming the Springboks win their own group.

Tournament Implications

If the groups play out in line with the current world rankings, further top favourites like the All Blacks and France would remain separated from the likes of the English and the Irish until the championship decider.

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

Hosts Face Major Opener

Hosts Australia have been drawn together with their trans-Tasman rivals and triple champions the All Blacks in Pool A.

Australia will open the World Cup in the city of Perth on October 1st, 2027 in a blockbuster fixture aimed at launch the event.

In other groups, reigning champions South Africa have drawn the Azzurri, Georgia and Romania. The French team are grouped with Japan, future hosts the USA and Samoa.

Expanded Tournament for 2027

Los Pumas will take on Fiji, Spain and Canada as the World Cup grows to 24 teams from the 20 who competed in France.

This edition will feature a last-16 round for the first time in the competition's history.

Although the victor of Pool F may avoid some of the game's heavyweights early on, they will have to face the runner-up from Pool B – most likely Italy – in the first knockout round.

Four of the remaining six pool winners will face a third-placed side from the pool stages.

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