The English side and their Welsh counterparts will face off in the same group for the 2027 RWC, promising a highly-anticipated pool stage encounter in the tournament Down Under. Completing the group in Group F by Tonga and the Zimbabwean Sables.
This pairing recalls their infamous clash in the group phase of the 2015 tournament, where Wales' victory at Twickenham played a part in the English team's shock early exit.
Other Notable Pool Draws
Ireland alongside the Scots also share 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 progress to the knockout stages.
Los Teros and Portugal, both made a strong impression as surprise packages in the last World Cup, round out that same group.
Notably, the winners of both Pool D and Pool F are kept apart from holders and world number one the Springboks until the showpiece match, presuming the Springboks win their assigned pool.
Tournament Implications
Should the pools conclude in line with the current global standings, further leading contenders like New Zealand and Les Bleus would remain separated from both England and Ireland until the final.
In that scenario, Los Pumas would be the other highly-seeded nation on the same half of the elimination bracket as those northern hemisphere teams.
Tournament Hosts Face Blockbuster Fixture
Tournament hosts the Wallabies have been drawn together with their great rivals and triple champions New Zealand in Group A.
Australia will open the tournament in the city of Perth on October 1st, 2027 in a marquee fixture designed to jump-start the competition.
Elsewhere, holders the Springboks have been paired with Italy, the Lelos and the Oaks. France are in a pool with the Brave Blossoms, future hosts the USA and Samoa.
Expanded Tournament for 2027
Argentina will take on Fiji, Los Leones and the Canadian team as the World Cup grows to 24 teams from the 20 who competed in 2023.
This edition will feature a last-16 round for the very first time in the competition's existence.
While the victor of Pool F may be kept apart from some of the game's heavyweights early on, they will have to face the second-placed team from Group B – probably the Italians – in the last 16.
Four of the other six pool winners will play a team that finished third from the initial group phase.
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
