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England and Wales find themselves placed in the same pool for the World Cup in 2027, promising a highly-anticipated early clash in the tournament Down Under. Completing the group in Group F by the Tongan Ikale Tahi and Zimbabwe.

This draw mirrors their famous meeting in the pool stages of the 2015 World Cup, where Wales' victory at England's home ground contributed to the English team's surprise early exit.

Other Notable Pool Draws

Ireland alongside the Scots also share a pool once again, replicating the scenario from the France 2023 tournament. On that occasion, Ireland claimed a 36-14 victory, with Scotland unable to progress to the knockout stages.

Uruguay and Portugal, both made a strong impression as surprise packages in France, round out that Pool D.

Notably, the victors of both Pool D and Pool F cannot meet holders and top-ranked South Africa until the showpiece match, presuming the South Africans top their own group.

Tournament Ramifications

Should the pools play out according to the current global standings, further top favourites like New Zealand and France would remain separated from the likes of England and the Irish until the championship decider.

Under those circumstances, Argentina would be the other top-ranked nation on that half of the elimination bracket as England and Ireland.

Hosts Draw Major Fixture

Hosts the Wallabies find themselves together with their trans-Tasman rivals and triple champions New Zealand in Pool A.

Australia will open the tournament in Perth on 1 October 2027 in a blockbuster match designed to launch the event.

In other groups, reigning champions the Springboks have drawn Italy, Georgia and Romania. The French team are grouped with the Brave Blossoms, 2031 hosts the United States and Samoa.

Expanded Format for 2027

Argentina will face Fiji, Los Leones and the Canadian team as the World Cup grows to 24 teams from the twenty who took part in 2023.

This edition will feature a round of 16 stage for the first time in Rugby World Cup history.

While the victor of Pool F may be kept apart from some of the game's biggest beasts early on, they will meet the second-placed team from Pool B – probably Italy – in the first knockout round.

A total of four of the remaining six pool winners will face a team that finished third 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