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England and their Welsh counterparts have been drawn in an identical group for the World Cup in 2027, promising a highly-anticipated pool stage clash in the tournament Down Under. They are joined in Pool F by Tonga and the Zimbabwean Sables.

This draw echoes their infamous clash in the pool stages of the 2015 tournament, where a Welsh win at Twickenham played a part in the English team's shock group stage elimination.

Other Notable Group Pairings

The Irish and Scotland have likewise been drawn in a pool once again, just as the scenario from the 2023 edition. On that occasion, Ireland claimed a 36-14 victory, with Scotland unable to advance to the quarter-finals.

Uruguay and Portugal, who each made a strong impression as surprise packages in France, round out that same group.

Notably, the victors of both Pool D and Pool F are kept apart from defending champions and top-ranked the Springboks until the final, assuming the Springboks win their own group.

Tournament Implications

Should the pools conclude in line with the current global standings, further leading contenders like New Zealand and France would also be kept apart from the likes of England and Ireland all the way to the championship decider.

Under those circumstances, Argentina would be the other top-ranked nation on the same half of the knockout draw as England and Ireland.

Tournament Hosts Face Major Opener

Tournament hosts the Wallabies have been drawn together with their great rivals and triple champions New Zealand in Group A.

Australia will kick off the tournament in Perth on 1 October 2027 in a marquee match designed to jump-start the competition.

Elsewhere, holders South Africa have been paired with Italy, the Lelos and Romania. The French team are grouped with Japan, 2031 hosts the United States and Manu Samoa.

Expanded Tournament for 2027

Argentina will face the Flying Fijians, Los Leones and the Canadian team as the tournament grows to twenty-four nations from the twenty who competed in 2023.

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

While the winner of Pool F may avoid some of the game's heavyweights initially, they will meet the second-placed team from Group B – probably the Italians – in the last 16.

A total of four of the remaining six group winners will play a third-placed side from the initial group phase.

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