England and their Welsh counterparts will face off in the same pool for the 2027 RWC, promising a major pool stage clash in Australia. They are joined in Group F by Tonga and Zimbabwe.
This draw echoes their memorable meeting in the group phase of the 2015 World Cup, where Wales' victory at England's home ground contributed to the English team's surprise group stage elimination.
Key Group Pairings
The Irish alongside Scotland have likewise been drawn in a pool together, just as the situation from the 2023 edition. On that occasion, Ireland claimed a 36-14 win, with Scotland unable to progress to the quarter-finals.
Los Teros and Portugal, who each made a strong impression as underdogs in France, complete that Pool D.
Notably, the victors of these two groups cannot meet holders and world number one the Springboks before the final, assuming the Springboks win their assigned pool.
Tournament Implications
Should the groups conclude according to the current world rankings, other leading contenders like the All Blacks and France would remain separated from the likes of England and the Irish all the way to the championship decider.
In that scenario, Los Pumas would be the other highly-seeded nation on the same side of the knockout draw as those northern hemisphere teams.
Hosts Face Blockbuster Opener
Hosts the Wallabies have been drawn alongside their trans-Tasman rivals and triple champions the All Blacks in Pool A.
The Wallabies will open the World Cup in Perth on October 1st, 2027 in a marquee fixture designed to launch the event.
Elsewhere, holders the Springboks have been paired with Italy, Georgia and Romania. France are grouped with the Brave Blossoms, future hosts the USA and Samoa.
Expanded Tournament for 2027
Argentina will take on the Flying Fijians, Los Leones and the Canadian team as the World Cup grows to twenty-four nations from the twenty who competed in 2023.
This edition will introduce a round of 16 stage for the first time in the competition's existence.
While the winner of England and Wales's group may be kept apart from some of the rugby's biggest beasts early on, they will meet the runner-up from Group B – most likely the Italians – in the first knockout round.
Four of the remaining six pool winners will play a third-placed side from the initial group phase.
Rugby World Cup 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
