🔗 Share this article

The English side and Wales will face off in the same pool for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, promising a highly-anticipated early clash in the tournament Down Under. They are joined in Group F by Tonga and Zimbabwe.

This draw mirrors their infamous meeting in the group phase of the 2015 tournament, where Wales' victory at England's home ground played a part in the English team's surprise early exit.

Other Notable Group Draws

The Irish and the Scots also share a group together, replicating the situation from the 2023 edition. In that tournament, they claimed a convincing victory, with their opponents unable to advance to the knockout stages.

Uruguay and Os Lobos, who each impressed as surprise packages in France, complete that same group.

Notably, the victors of both Pool D and Pool F are kept apart from holders and top-ranked the Springboks until the final, presuming the Springboks win their assigned pool.

Knockout Ramifications

Should the pools conclude in line with the current world rankings, other top favourites like the All Blacks and Les Bleus would also be kept apart from both England and Ireland all the way to the championship decider.

In that scenario, Los Pumas would be the remaining highly-seeded nation on that side of the elimination bracket as those northern hemisphere teams.

Tournament Hosts Draw Blockbuster Fixture

Hosts Australia find themselves alongside their great rivals and triple champions New Zealand in Group A.

Australia will kick off the World Cup in Perth on October 1st, 2027 in a marquee match designed to launch the competition.

Elsewhere, reigning champions South Africa have drawn the Azzurri, Georgia and the Oaks. France are grouped with Japan, future hosts the USA and Manu Samoa.

Larger Tournament for 2027

Los Pumas will take on Fiji, Spain and Canada as the World Cup grows to twenty-four nations from the 20 who competed in 2023.

The 2027 tournament will feature a last-16 stage for the first time in Rugby World Cup existence.

Although the victor of England and Wales's group may be kept apart from some of the rugby's heavyweights early on, they will meet the second-placed team from Group B – probably Italy – in the last 16.

A total of four of the other six pool winners will play 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