England and Wales have been drawn in the same pool for the World Cup in 2027, promising a highly-anticipated early encounter in the tournament Down Under. They are joined in Pool F by Tonga and Zimbabwe.
This draw echoes their memorable meeting in the group phase of the 2015 World Cup, where a Welsh win at England's home ground contributed to the hosts' surprise early exit.
Other Notable Group Pairings
Ireland and Scotland have likewise been drawn in a pool once again, replicating the scenario from the France 2023 tournament. On that occasion, they secured a convincing victory, with Scotland unable to progress to the knockout stages.
Los Teros and Portugal, both impressed as surprise packages in France, round out that same group.
Significantly, the winners of these two groups cannot meet defending champions and top-ranked the Springboks before the showpiece match, assuming the South Africans top their own group.
Knockout Ramifications
If the pools conclude in line with the current global standings, other leading contenders like New Zealand and Les Bleus would also be kept apart from both the English and the Irish until the final.
In that scenario, Los Pumas would be the remaining top-ranked nation on that half of the knockout draw as England and Ireland.
Tournament Hosts Face Major Fixture
Hosts Australia find themselves alongside their great rivals and three-time winners the All Blacks in Group A.
Australia will kick off the tournament in Perth on 1 October 2027 in a marquee match aimed at jump-start the event.
Elsewhere, holders South Africa have been paired with Italy, the Lelos and Romania. The French team are in a pool with the Brave Blossoms, 2031 hosts the USA and Samoa.
Expanded Tournament for 2027
Argentina will face the Flying Fijians, Spain and the Canadian team as the tournament grows to twenty-four nations from the twenty who took part in France.
This edition will introduce a last-16 stage for the very first time in Rugby World Cup existence.
Although the victor 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 runner-up from Pool B – probably the Italians – 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
