The English side and Wales find themselves placed in an identical group for the 2027 RWC, promising a major early encounter in Australia. They are joined in Group F by Tonga and the Zimbabwean Sables.
This draw echoes their famous meeting in the pool stages of the 2015 World Cup, where a Welsh win at England's home ground contributed to the hosts' surprise group stage elimination.
Other Notable Pool Pairings
The Irish alongside the Scots have likewise been drawn in a pool once again, replicating the situation from the 2023 edition. On that occasion, Ireland claimed a convincing win, with Scotland failing to advance to the quarter-finals.
Uruguay and Os Lobos, who each impressed as underdogs in France, round out that Pool D.
Significantly, the victors of both Pool D and Pool F cannot meet defending champions and world number one South Africa until the final, presuming the Springboks top their assigned pool.
Tournament Ramifications
If the groups conclude in line with the current world rankings, further leading contenders like the All Blacks and Les Bleus would remain separated from both the English and the Irish until the championship decider.
In that scenario, Los Pumas would be the remaining top-ranked nation on the same side of the elimination bracket as England and Ireland.
Tournament Hosts Face Blockbuster Opener
Hosts Australia find themselves together with their great rivals and triple champions New Zealand in Pool A.
The Wallabies will kick off the tournament in the city of Perth on October 1st, 2027 in a blockbuster fixture designed to jump-start the competition.
In other groups, reigning champions South Africa have drawn Italy, the Lelos and Romania. France are grouped with Japan, 2031 hosts the United States and Manu Samoa.
Larger Tournament for 2027
Argentina will face the Flying Fijians, Spain and the Canadian team as the World Cup expands to twenty-four nations from the 20 who took part in 2023.
This edition will feature a last-16 stage for the first time in the competition's existence.
While the winner of Pool F may be kept apart from some of the rugby's heavyweights early on, they will have to face the runner-up from Group B – most likely Italy – in the first knockout round.
A total of four of the other six pool winners will face 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
