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The English side together with their Welsh counterparts will face off in the same group for the 2027 RWC, setting up a highly-anticipated early encounter in the tournament Down Under. They are joined in Pool F by the Tongan Ikale Tahi and the Zimbabwean Sables.

This pairing mirrors their memorable meeting in the pool stages of the 2015 World Cup, where Wales' victory at Twickenham played a part in the hosts' shock early exit.

Other Notable Group Draws

The Irish and the Scots also share a pool once again, just as the scenario from the France 2023 tournament. On that occasion, Ireland secured a 36-14 victory, with Scotland failing to advance to the knockout stages.

Uruguay and Os Lobos, who each made a strong impression as surprise packages in France, complete that same group.

Notably, the victors of these two groups cannot meet holders and top-ranked the Springboks before the final, assuming the Springboks win their assigned pool.

Knockout Ramifications

Should the groups conclude in line with the current world rankings, other top favourites like the All Blacks and Les Bleus would also be kept apart from both the English and the Irish until the championship decider.

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

Hosts Face Major Opener

Tournament hosts Australia find themselves together with their great rivals and triple champions New Zealand in Pool A.

Australia will kick off the tournament in Perth on October 1st, 2027 in a blockbuster fixture designed to jump-start the event.

Elsewhere, reigning champions South Africa have been paired with the Azzurri, the Lelos and the Oaks. The French team are in a pool with the Brave Blossoms, future hosts the USA and Manu Samoa.

Expanded Format for 2027

Argentina will face the Flying Fijians, Spain and Canada as the tournament expands to 24 teams from the 20 who competed in 2023.

This edition will feature a round of 16 round for the very first time in the competition's existence.

While the victor of Pool F may be kept apart from some of the rugby's biggest beasts early on, they will have to face the second-placed team from Group B – probably Italy – in the last 16.

Four of the other six group winners will play a third-placed side 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