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The English side together with Wales will face off in the same pool for the 2027 RWC, promising a major early encounter in Australia. Completing the group in Pool F by the Tongan Ikale Tahi and the Zimbabwean Sables.

This draw mirrors their infamous clash in the pool stages of the 2015 World Cup, where Wales' victory at England's home ground contributed to the English team's shock early exit.

Other Notable Pool Pairings

Ireland alongside the Scots have likewise been drawn in a group together, just as the situation from the France 2023 tournament. On that occasion, they claimed a convincing victory, with their opponents failing to advance to the quarter-finals.

Uruguay and Os Lobos, who each impressed as surprise packages in the last World Cup, round out that Pool D.

Notably, the victors of both Pool D and Pool F cannot meet defending champions and top-ranked South Africa until the showpiece match, assuming the South Africans win their own group.

Knockout Implications

If the pools conclude in line with the current global standings, other leading contenders like New Zealand and France would remain separated from the likes of England and Ireland until the final.

Under those circumstances, Los Pumas would be the other top-ranked nation on that half of the knockout draw as those northern hemisphere teams.

Tournament Hosts Draw Blockbuster Fixture

Tournament hosts Australia find themselves alongside their trans-Tasman rivals and three-time winners New Zealand in Pool A.

The Wallabies will open the World Cup in Perth on October 1st, 2027 in a blockbuster fixture designed to jump-start the competition.

Elsewhere, reigning champions South Africa have drawn the Azzurri, Georgia and Romania. The French team are in a pool with Japan, 2031 hosts the USA and Manu Samoa.

Expanded Format for 2027

Los Pumas will take on the Flying Fijians, Spain and the Canadian team as the tournament grows to 24 teams from the 20 who took part in 2023.

This edition will introduce a round of 16 stage for the 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 early on, 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 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