The English side and Wales have been drawn in the same pool for the World Cup in 2027, promising a highly-anticipated early clash in Australia. Completing the group in Group F by Tonga and Zimbabwe.
This draw recalls their memorable meeting in the pool stages of the 2015 tournament, where a Welsh win at Twickenham contributed to the hosts' shock group stage elimination.
Other Notable Group Pairings
Ireland and the Scots have likewise been drawn in a group together, just as the scenario from the 2023 edition. In that tournament, they secured a convincing win, with Scotland failing to advance to the quarter-finals.
Los Teros and Os Lobos, who each made a strong impression as underdogs in France, complete that Pool D.
Notably, the winners of these two groups are kept apart from holders and top-ranked South Africa before the showpiece match, assuming the Springboks top their own group.
Tournament Implications
If the pools conclude in line with the current world rankings, further top favourites like New Zealand and France would also be kept apart from both the English and Ireland until the championship decider.
Under those circumstances, Los Pumas would be the remaining highly-seeded nation on that side of the knockout draw as England and Ireland.
Tournament Hosts Draw Blockbuster Fixture
Tournament hosts the Wallabies have been drawn alongside their great rivals and three-time winners New Zealand in Group A.
Australia will kick off the World Cup in Perth on October 1st, 2027 in a marquee match aimed at jump-start the event.
Elsewhere, reigning champions South Africa have drawn Italy, the Lelos and the Oaks. France are grouped with the Brave Blossoms, 2031 hosts the United States and Manu Samoa.
Expanded Format for 2027
Argentina will face Fiji, Spain and Canada as the tournament grows to twenty-four nations from the twenty who took part in 2023.
This edition will introduce a last-16 stage for the first time in Rugby World Cup history.
While the winner of Pool F may avoid some of the game's heavyweights initially, they will have to face the runner-up from Pool B – most likely the Italians – in the first knockout round.
Four of the other six group winners will play a third-placed side from the initial group phase.
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
