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England and their Welsh counterparts have been drawn in the same pool for the World Cup in 2027, setting up a major pool stage clash in Australia. They are joined in Group F by Tonga and the Zimbabwean Sables.

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

Key Pool Draws

The Irish alongside Scotland also share a group together, replicating the scenario from the France 2023 tournament. On that occasion, Ireland claimed a convincing victory, with their opponents failing to progress to the quarter-finals.

Los Teros and Portugal, who each impressed as surprise packages in the last World Cup, complete that same group.

Significantly, the victors of these two groups are kept apart from holders and top-ranked South Africa before the showpiece match, presuming the South Africans win their assigned pool.

Tournament Ramifications

If the groups conclude according to the current global standings, other leading contenders like New Zealand and France would also be kept apart from both the English and the Irish all the way to the championship decider.

Under those circumstances, Argentina would be the other top-ranked nation on that side of the elimination bracket as England and Ireland.

Tournament Hosts Face Major Fixture

Tournament hosts the Wallabies have been drawn alongside their trans-Tasman rivals and three-time winners New Zealand in Group A.

Australia will kick off the tournament in the city of Perth on October 1st, 2027 in a blockbuster match designed to jump-start the competition.

Elsewhere, holders the Springboks have drawn the Azzurri, Georgia and the Oaks. The French team are grouped with the Brave Blossoms, 2031 hosts the United States and Manu Samoa.

Larger Tournament for 2027

Los Pumas will take on the Flying Fijians, Spain and Canada as the tournament expands to 24 teams from the twenty who competed in France.

This edition will feature a round of 16 stage for the very first time in the competition's existence.

Although the victor of England and Wales's group may be kept apart from some of the rugby's biggest beasts initially, they will have to face the second-placed team from Group B – probably Italy – in the first knockout round.

A total of four of the remaining 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