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The English side and Wales have been drawn in the same group for the 2027 RWC, setting up a highly-anticipated pool stage clash in the tournament Down Under. Completing the group in Group F by Tonga and Zimbabwe.

This pairing mirrors their infamous clash in the pool stages of the 2015 World Cup, where Wales' victory at Twickenham played a part in the English team's surprise group stage elimination.

Other Notable Group Draws

Ireland and Scotland have likewise been drawn in a pool once again, just as the scenario from the France 2023 tournament. In that tournament, they secured a convincing victory, with Scotland failing to advance to the knockout stages.

Uruguay and Portugal, who each made a strong impression as surprise packages in the last World Cup, round out that Pool D.

Significantly, the victors of these two groups cannot meet holders and world number one South Africa before the showpiece match, assuming the Springboks top their assigned pool.

Tournament Implications

If the pools play out according to the current world rankings, other leading contenders like the All Blacks and France would also be kept apart from the likes of the English and the Irish until the championship decider.

In that scenario, Argentina would be the other top-ranked nation on the same side of the knockout draw as England and Ireland.

Tournament Hosts Draw Major Opener

Hosts Australia have been drawn together with their trans-Tasman rivals and three-time winners New Zealand in Pool A.

The Wallabies will open the tournament in Perth on October 1st, 2027 in a blockbuster match designed to jump-start the event.

Elsewhere, holders South Africa have been paired with Italy, Georgia and Romania. France are in a pool with Japan, 2031 hosts the United States and Manu Samoa.

Larger Format for 2027

Argentina will face the Flying Fijians, Spain and the Canadian team as the World Cup expands to 24 teams from the twenty who competed in 2023.

The 2027 tournament will introduce a round of 16 stage for the very first time in the competition's history.

Although the winner of Pool F may be kept apart from some of the rugby's heavyweights early on, they will have to face the second-placed team from Pool B – most likely Italy – in the last 16.

A total of four of the remaining six pool winners will play a team that finished third from the pool stages.

RWC 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