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The English side and Wales have been drawn in an identical group for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, setting up a highly-anticipated early clash in Australia. Completing the group in Group F by the Tongan Ikale Tahi and the Zimbabwean Sables.

This pairing recalls their memorable clash in the group phase of the 2015 tournament, where Wales' victory at Twickenham played a part in the English team's surprise early exit.

Other Notable Pool Draws

The Irish alongside Scotland have likewise been drawn in a pool once again, replicating the situation from the France 2023 tournament. On that occasion, they claimed a 36-14 victory, with their opponents unable to advance to the quarter-finals.

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

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

Tournament Ramifications

Should the groups conclude according to the current global standings, further leading contenders like New Zealand and France would also be kept apart from both the English and the Irish until the championship decider.

Under those circumstances, Los Pumas would be the other highly-seeded nation on the same half of the elimination bracket as England and Ireland.

Tournament Hosts Face Major Opener

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

Australia will kick off the World Cup in the city of Perth on 1 October 2027 in a blockbuster fixture designed to jump-start the competition.

Elsewhere, holders the Springboks have drawn the Azzurri, the Lelos and the Oaks. France are grouped with Japan, future hosts the United States and Manu Samoa.

Expanded Tournament for 2027

Los Pumas will face Fiji, Spain and the Canadian team as the tournament expands to 24 teams from the 20 who competed in France.

The 2027 tournament will introduce a round of 16 stage for the very first time in the competition's existence.

Although the victor of Pool F may be kept apart from some of the rugby's heavyweights initially, they will meet the runner-up from Group B – most likely the Italians – in the last 16.

A total of four of the remaining six group winners will play 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