England together with Wales have been drawn in the same pool for the World Cup in 2027, setting up a major early clash in Australia. Completing the group in Group F by Tonga and Zimbabwe.
This pairing mirrors their memorable clash in the pool stages of the 2015 tournament, where a Welsh win at Twickenham played a part in the hosts' surprise early exit.
Key Pool Pairings
The Irish alongside the Scots have likewise been drawn in a pool once again, replicating the scenario from the 2023 edition. On that occasion, they secured a 36-14 victory, with Scotland failing to progress to the quarter-finals.
Los Teros and Os Lobos, who each made a strong impression as underdogs in France, complete that Pool D.
Significantly, the winners of these two groups are kept apart from holders and world number one South Africa until the showpiece match, presuming the South Africans top their own group.
Tournament Ramifications
Should the pools conclude according to the current world rankings, other top favourites like New Zealand and France would remain separated from the likes of England and Ireland until the final.
In that scenario, Los Pumas would be the remaining top-ranked nation on that half of the knockout draw as those northern hemisphere teams.
Hosts Draw Blockbuster Fixture
Hosts Australia find themselves together with their trans-Tasman rivals and triple champions the All Blacks in Pool A.
Australia will kick off the World Cup in Perth on 1 October 2027 in a blockbuster fixture aimed at jump-start the event.
Elsewhere, reigning champions South Africa have drawn the Azzurri, the Lelos and Romania. The French team are grouped with Japan, future hosts the USA and Manu Samoa.
Expanded Tournament for 2027
Los Pumas will face Fiji, Spain and Canada as the World Cup expands to 24 teams from the 20 who competed in 2023.
This edition will introduce a last-16 round for the very first time in Rugby World Cup existence.
Although the victor of Pool F may avoid some of the game's heavyweights early on, they will have to face the second-placed team from Group B – most likely Italy – in the first knockout round.
Four of the other six pool winners will play a team that finished third from the initial group phase.
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
