England together with Wales will face off in an identical group for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, promising a major early encounter in Australia. They are joined in Pool F by the Tongan Ikale Tahi and Zimbabwe.
This draw recalls their memorable meeting in the pool stages of the 2015 World Cup, where a Welsh win at Twickenham played a part in the English team's shock early exit.
Other Notable Group Draws
Ireland and Scotland have likewise been drawn in a pool once again, replicating the situation from the 2023 edition. On that occasion, they secured a convincing victory, with Scotland failing to advance to the quarter-finals.
Uruguay and Os Lobos, both impressed as underdogs in France, round out that Pool D.
Significantly, the victors of these two groups are kept apart from holders and world number one the Springboks before the final, assuming the Springboks top their own group.
Tournament Implications
If the pools play out according to the current world rankings, further top favourites like New Zealand and France would remain separated from the likes of the English and Ireland until the championship decider.
Under those circumstances, Argentina would be the other top-ranked nation on that side of the elimination bracket as those northern hemisphere teams.
Tournament Hosts Face Blockbuster Opener
Tournament hosts the Wallabies find themselves together with their great rivals and triple champions the All Blacks in Pool A.
The Wallabies will open the tournament in the city of Perth on 1 October 2027 in a blockbuster fixture aimed at launch the competition.
In other groups, holders South Africa have been paired with Italy, Georgia and Romania. France are in a pool with Japan, future hosts the USA and Manu Samoa.
Larger Format for 2027
Argentina will face the Flying Fijians, 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 round for the very first time in the competition's existence.
Although the victor of Pool F may avoid some of the game's biggest beasts early on, they will meet the second-placed team from Pool B – most likely Italy – in the last 16.
A total of four of the other six group winners will play 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
