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England together with Wales find themselves placed in an identical group for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, promising a highly-anticipated early clash in the tournament Down Under. Completing the group in Group F by Tonga and the Zimbabwean Sables.

This draw recalls their famous meeting in the group phase of the 2015 World Cup, where Wales' victory at Twickenham played a part in the hosts' surprise early exit.

Other Notable Group Draws

Ireland alongside Scotland also share a pool once again, replicating the situation from the France 2023 tournament. On that occasion, they secured a convincing victory, with their opponents failing to advance to the knockout stages.

Uruguay and Os Lobos, both impressed as surprise packages in France, complete that Pool D.

Significantly, the winners of these two groups cannot meet defending champions and top-ranked South Africa until the showpiece match, assuming the South Africans top their own group.

Knockout Ramifications

Should the pools play out according to the current global standings, further top favourites like the All Blacks and France would also be kept apart from both England and Ireland all the way to the final.

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

Hosts Face Major Opener

Hosts Australia have been drawn alongside their trans-Tasman rivals and three-time winners the All Blacks in Group A.

Australia will kick off the World Cup in the city of Perth on October 1st, 2027 in a blockbuster fixture aimed at launch the competition.

Elsewhere, reigning champions the Springboks have been paired with the Azzurri, Georgia and the Oaks. The French team are grouped with the Brave Blossoms, future hosts the USA and Samoa.

Larger Tournament for 2027

Los Pumas will face the Flying Fijians, Los Leones and the Canadian team as the tournament grows to 24 teams from the 20 who competed in 2023.

The 2027 tournament will feature a last-16 round for the very first time in the competition's history.

Although the winner of England and Wales's group may be kept apart from some of the rugby's biggest beasts initially, they will meet the second-placed team from Pool B – most likely the Italians – in the first knockout round.

A total of four of the remaining six pool winners will play a third-placed side 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