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England and Wales find themselves placed in an identical pool for the World Cup in 2027, promising a major early clash in Australia. They are joined in Group F by Tonga and Zimbabwe.

This draw recalls their infamous meeting in the group phase of the 2015 tournament, where a Welsh win at England's home ground contributed to the English team's surprise early exit.

Other Notable Pool Draws

Ireland alongside the Scots have likewise been drawn in a pool once again, just as the situation from the France 2023 tournament. In that tournament, Ireland claimed a convincing victory, with Scotland unable to advance to the quarter-finals.

Uruguay and Os Lobos, both made a strong impression as surprise packages in the last World Cup, complete that same group.

Notably, the winners of these two groups are kept apart from holders and top-ranked South Africa before the showpiece match, presuming the South Africans top their own group.

Tournament Implications

If the pools play out according to the current global standings, other leading contenders like the All Blacks and France would also be kept apart from the likes of England and Ireland until the final.

In that scenario, Argentina would be the other highly-seeded nation on that side of the knockout draw as those northern hemisphere teams.

Hosts Draw Blockbuster Fixture

Tournament hosts Australia have been drawn alongside their great rivals and three-time winners the All Blacks in Pool A.

Australia will kick off the World Cup in Perth on October 1st, 2027 in a marquee match aimed at jump-start the competition.

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

Larger Format for 2027

Argentina will face the Flying Fijians, Los Leones and Canada as the World Cup grows to 24 teams from the twenty who took part in France.

The 2027 tournament will feature a last-16 stage for the first time in the competition's history.

Although the winner of Pool F may be kept apart from some of the game's heavyweights initially, they will have to face the runner-up from Pool B – probably the Italians – in the first knockout round.

Four of the other six pool 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