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England together with Wales have been drawn in the same pool for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, setting up a major pool stage encounter in the tournament Down Under. Completing the group in Group F by Tonga and the Zimbabwean Sables.

This pairing mirrors their memorable meeting in the group phase of the 2015 tournament, where Wales' victory at England's home ground contributed to the English team's surprise early exit.

Other Notable Group Draws

Ireland and Scotland have likewise been drawn in a pool once again, replicating the situation from the France 2023 tournament. In that tournament, Ireland secured a convincing win, with Scotland failing to advance to the quarter-finals.

Uruguay and Os Lobos, both impressed as underdogs in the last World Cup, round out that Pool D.

Notably, the winners of these two groups cannot meet defending champions and world number one South Africa before the showpiece match, presuming the Springboks top their assigned pool.

Knockout Ramifications

If the pools conclude in line with the current global standings, other leading contenders like the All Blacks and France would remain separated from both the English and the Irish until the championship decider.

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.

Hosts Face Major Opener

Hosts the Wallabies find themselves together with their trans-Tasman rivals and three-time winners the All Blacks in Group A.

The Wallabies will open the World Cup in Perth on 1 October 2027 in a marquee fixture aimed at launch the competition.

Elsewhere, holders the Springboks have drawn Italy, the Lelos and Romania. France are grouped with the Brave Blossoms, 2031 hosts the United States and Samoa.

Expanded Tournament for 2027

Argentina will take on the Flying Fijians, Los Leones and the Canadian team as the World Cup grows to 24 teams from the twenty who competed in 2023.

The 2027 tournament will introduce a round of 16 stage for the first time in Rugby World Cup existence.

While the victor of Pool F may avoid some of the rugby's heavyweights initially, 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 pool winners will face 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