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The English side and their Welsh counterparts find themselves placed in an identical group for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, setting up a major early encounter in Australia. Completing the group in Group F by Tonga and Zimbabwe.

This draw echoes their infamous clash in the group phase of the 2015 World Cup, where a Welsh win at Twickenham played a part in the English team's surprise early exit.

Other Notable Group Draws

Ireland and Scotland have likewise been drawn in a group together, replicating the situation from the 2023 edition. On that occasion, Ireland secured a convincing win, with Scotland unable to progress to the knockout stages.

Los Teros and Portugal, who each made a strong impression as surprise packages in France, round out that Pool D.

Notably, the winners of these two groups are kept apart from defending champions and top-ranked the Springboks before the final, assuming the Springboks top their assigned pool.

Knockout Implications

If the groups conclude according to the current global standings, further top favourites like the All Blacks and France would remain separated from the likes of the English and the Irish all the way to the final.

In that scenario, Argentina would be the other top-ranked nation on that half of the knockout draw as those northern hemisphere teams.

Tournament Hosts Face Blockbuster Fixture

Tournament hosts Australia have been drawn alongside their trans-Tasman rivals and triple champions New Zealand in Group A.

The Wallabies will kick off the tournament in the city of Perth on 1 October 2027 in a blockbuster fixture aimed at launch the event.

Elsewhere, reigning champions the Springboks have drawn Italy, Georgia and the Oaks. France are in a pool with the Brave Blossoms, 2031 hosts the United States and Samoa.

Expanded Format for 2027

Los Pumas will take on the Flying Fijians, Los Leones and Canada as the World Cup grows to twenty-four nations from the 20 who took part in France.

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

Although the victor of England and Wales's group may avoid some of the rugby's biggest beasts 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 group winners will face a third-placed side from the pool stages.

Rugby World Cup 2027 Draw

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