The English side and their Welsh counterparts find themselves placed in an identical group for the 2027 RWC, promising a major early clash in the tournament Down Under. Completing the group in Pool F by Tonga and the Zimbabwean Sables.
This pairing echoes their memorable clash in the pool stages of the 2015 tournament, where Wales' victory at England's home ground contributed to the English team's surprise early exit.
Other Notable Group Pairings
Ireland and Scotland also share a group together, replicating the scenario from the 2023 edition. On that occasion, they claimed a 36-14 win, with Scotland unable to progress 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 world number one the Springboks until the final, assuming the Springboks win their assigned pool.
Knockout Ramifications
Should the groups play out in line with the current global standings, other leading contenders like New Zealand and Les Bleus would remain separated from both England and the Irish until the final.
In that scenario, Los Pumas would be the remaining top-ranked nation on that side of the elimination bracket as England and Ireland.
Hosts Face Blockbuster Opener
Tournament hosts the Wallabies find themselves alongside their great rivals and three-time winners the All Blacks in Pool A.
Australia will open the tournament in the city of Perth on 1 October 2027 in a blockbuster fixture designed to launch the competition.
In other groups, reigning champions South Africa have been paired with Italy, Georgia and Romania. The French team are grouped with Japan, future hosts the United States and Manu Samoa.
Expanded Tournament for 2027
Argentina will take on Fiji, Spain and Canada as the tournament grows to 24 teams from the twenty who took part in France.
This edition will introduce a last-16 stage for the very first time in the competition's history.
Although the victor of Pool F may avoid some of the rugby's biggest beasts initially, they will have to face the runner-up from Pool B – probably the Italians – in the first knockout round.
A total of four of the remaining six pool winners will play 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
