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The English side and their Welsh counterparts have been drawn in an identical group for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, setting up a major pool stage clash in Australia. Completing the group in Group F by the Tongan Ikale Tahi and the Zimbabwean Sables.

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

Other Notable Group Pairings

The Irish alongside the Scots have likewise been drawn in a pool together, just as the scenario from the 2023 edition. In that tournament, Ireland claimed a convincing victory, with Scotland failing to advance to the knockout stages.

Uruguay and Os Lobos, both impressed as surprise packages in the last World Cup, complete that same group.

Significantly, the victors of both Pool D and Pool F cannot meet defending champions and world number one South Africa before the showpiece match, presuming the South Africans win their assigned pool.

Knockout Implications

Should the pools conclude in line with the current global standings, further top favourites like the All Blacks and Les Bleus would remain separated from the likes of the English and Ireland until the final.

In that scenario, Los Pumas would be the remaining top-ranked nation on the same half of the knockout draw as those northern hemisphere teams.

Tournament Hosts Draw Blockbuster Fixture

Hosts Australia find themselves alongside their great rivals and triple champions New Zealand in Pool A.

The Wallabies will kick off the tournament in Perth on October 1st, 2027 in a marquee fixture designed to jump-start the competition.

In other groups, holders South Africa have been paired with the Azzurri, the Lelos and Romania. France are grouped with Japan, 2031 hosts the United States and Manu Samoa.

Larger Tournament for 2027

Los Pumas will face Fiji, Spain and the Canadian team as the World Cup expands to twenty-four nations from the twenty who took part in 2023.

This edition will introduce a last-16 stage for the first time in Rugby World Cup history.

While the winner of Pool F may avoid some of the rugby's heavyweights initially, they will have to face the runner-up from Pool B – most likely Italy – in the last 16.

Four of the remaining six group winners will play a team that finished third from the initial group phase.

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