England together with Wales have been drawn in the same pool for the World Cup in 2027, promising a highly-anticipated early clash in the tournament Down Under. Completing the group in Pool F by Tonga and Zimbabwe.
This draw echoes their famous meeting in the pool stages of the 2015 tournament, where Wales' victory at England's home ground contributed to the English team's shock group stage elimination.
Other Notable Group Draws
Ireland and the Scots also share a pool once again, just as the scenario from the 2023 edition. In that tournament, Ireland claimed a 36-14 win, with Scotland unable to advance to the quarter-finals.
Los Teros and Portugal, both made a strong impression as underdogs in the last World Cup, round out that same group.
Significantly, the victors of these two groups are kept apart from defending champions and top-ranked the Springboks until the showpiece match, assuming the South Africans top their own group.
Tournament Implications
Should the groups play out in line with the current world rankings, further top favourites like the All Blacks and France would remain separated from both the English and the Irish until the final.
Under those circumstances, Los Pumas would be the other top-ranked nation on that side of the elimination bracket as England and Ireland.
Hosts Face Blockbuster Fixture
Hosts Australia have been drawn alongside their great rivals and triple champions the All Blacks in Pool A.
Australia will open the tournament in Perth on October 1st, 2027 in a marquee match aimed at launch the competition.
In other groups, holders South Africa have been paired with the Azzurri, Georgia and the Oaks. France are grouped with Japan, 2031 hosts the USA and Samoa.
Larger Format for 2027
Los Pumas will take on Fiji, Spain and the Canadian team as the World Cup grows to twenty-four nations from the twenty who took part in 2023.
This edition will feature a last-16 round for the first time in Rugby World Cup existence.
While the victor of Pool F may avoid some of the game's biggest beasts early on, they will meet the runner-up from Group B – probably Italy – in the last 16.
A total of four of the other six pool winners will face 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
