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England and Wales find themselves placed in the same group for the World Cup in 2027, promising a major early encounter in Australia. Completing the group in Group F by Tonga and the Zimbabwean Sables.

This draw recalls their memorable clash in the pool stages of the 2015 tournament, where Wales' victory at Twickenham contributed to the hosts' surprise early exit.

Other Notable Pool Pairings

Ireland and Scotland also share a pool together, replicating the scenario from the 2023 edition. In that tournament, Ireland claimed a convincing win, with their opponents unable to progress to the quarter-finals.

Los Teros and Os Lobos, who each made a strong impression as surprise packages in France, round out that Pool D.

Notably, the victors of both Pool D and Pool F are kept apart from holders and top-ranked South Africa before the final, presuming the South Africans win their own group.

Knockout Implications

Should the pools play out in line with the current global standings, further top favourites like New Zealand and Les Bleus would also be kept apart from the likes of England and the Irish all the way to the championship decider.

Under those circumstances, Argentina would be the other highly-seeded nation on that half of the knockout draw as those northern hemisphere teams.

Hosts Face Major Fixture

Tournament hosts Australia find themselves together with their trans-Tasman rivals and triple champions the All Blacks in Pool A.

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

In other groups, reigning champions South Africa have drawn Italy, the Lelos and Romania. The French team are grouped with Japan, future hosts the USA and Samoa.

Larger Tournament for 2027

Argentina will face the Flying Fijians, Los Leones and the Canadian team as the World Cup expands to 24 teams from the 20 who competed in France.

This edition will feature a last-16 stage for the first time in the competition's history.

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

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

Rugby World Cup 2027 Draw

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