🔗 Share this article

The English side together with their Welsh counterparts have been drawn in the same pool for the 2027 RWC, promising a major early encounter in Australia. They are joined in Pool F by Tonga and the Zimbabwean Sables.

This draw recalls their famous clash in the group phase of the 2015 tournament, where Wales' victory at Twickenham contributed to the hosts' shock early exit.

Other Notable Pool Pairings

The Irish and the Scots also share a group together, replicating the scenario from the France 2023 tournament. On that occasion, Ireland claimed a convincing victory, with Scotland unable to progress to the knockout stages.

Uruguay and Os Lobos, who each impressed as underdogs in the last World Cup, round out that same group.

Notably, the winners of both Pool D and Pool F are kept apart from defending champions and world number one the Springboks until the final, assuming the Springboks top their assigned pool.

Knockout Implications

Should the groups conclude according to the current global standings, further top favourites like New Zealand and Les Bleus would remain separated from both the English and the Irish until the final.

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

Hosts Face Major Opener

Tournament hosts Australia have been drawn together with their trans-Tasman rivals and three-time winners the All Blacks in Pool A.

The Wallabies will open the tournament in Perth on 1 October 2027 in a marquee match aimed at jump-start the competition.

Elsewhere, holders South Africa have been paired with the Azzurri, the Lelos and the Oaks. France are in a pool with the Brave Blossoms, 2031 hosts the USA and Samoa.

Expanded Format for 2027

Argentina will take on Fiji, Los Leones and Canada as the tournament grows to 24 teams from the twenty who took part in 2023.

This edition will introduce a last-16 stage for the very first time in Rugby World Cup history.

While the victor of England and Wales's group may avoid some of the rugby's heavyweights early on, they will have to face the runner-up from Group B – most likely Italy – in the last 16.

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

Rugby World Cup 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