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England and Wales find themselves placed in an identical group for the World Cup in 2027, promising a highly-anticipated early clash in Australia. They are joined in Pool F by Tonga and Zimbabwe.

This draw recalls their memorable meeting in the pool stages of the 2015 tournament, where a Welsh win at England's home ground contributed to the English team's shock early exit.

Key Pool Draws

Ireland and the Scots also share a group once again, replicating the situation from the France 2023 tournament. In that tournament, they secured a convincing win, with Scotland unable to progress to the knockout stages.

Los Teros and Os Lobos, both impressed as underdogs in France, round out that same group.

Significantly, the victors of both Pool D and Pool F cannot meet holders and top-ranked South Africa until the showpiece match, presuming the Springboks top their assigned pool.

Tournament Ramifications

If the pools play out in line with the current world rankings, other top favourites like New Zealand and France would remain separated from the likes of the English and Ireland all the way to the championship decider.

Under those circumstances, Argentina would be the remaining highly-seeded nation on that side of the elimination bracket as those northern hemisphere teams.

Tournament Hosts Draw Major Fixture

Hosts the Wallabies find themselves together with their great rivals and three-time winners the All Blacks in Pool A.

Australia will kick off the World Cup in the city of Perth on October 1st, 2027 in a marquee fixture designed to launch the event.

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 United States and Samoa.

Larger Format for 2027

Los Pumas will face Fiji, Los Leones and the Canadian team as the tournament expands to twenty-four nations from the 20 who competed in 2023.

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

While the victor of Pool F may avoid some of the game's biggest beasts early on, they will have to face the runner-up from Group B – probably the Italians – in the first knockout round.

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