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England together with Wales have been drawn in the same group for the World Cup in 2027, setting up a highly-anticipated early clash in the tournament Down Under. They are joined in Group F by Tonga and Zimbabwe.

This draw mirrors their memorable meeting in the pool stages of the 2015 World Cup, where a Welsh win at Twickenham played a part in the English team's shock early exit.

Other Notable Group Draws

The Irish and the Scots have likewise been drawn in a pool together, just as the scenario from the 2023 edition. In that tournament, they claimed a convincing win, with Scotland unable to progress to the quarter-finals.

Los Teros and Os Lobos, who each impressed as underdogs in the last World Cup, round out that Pool D.

Significantly, the winners of both Pool D and Pool F are kept apart from defending champions and top-ranked the Springboks until the final, assuming the Springboks win their own group.

Tournament Implications

If the groups conclude in line with the current global standings, further top favourites like New Zealand and Les Bleus would remain separated from both the English and the Irish all the way to the championship decider.

In that scenario, Los Pumas would be the other top-ranked nation on the same half of the elimination bracket as England and Ireland.

Tournament Hosts Face Blockbuster Fixture

Hosts Australia find themselves together with their trans-Tasman rivals and three-time winners New Zealand in Group A.

The Wallabies will kick off the World Cup in the city of Perth on 1 October 2027 in a blockbuster match aimed at jump-start the competition.

Elsewhere, reigning champions the Springboks have been paired with the Azzurri, Georgia and the Oaks. The French team are grouped with the Brave Blossoms, 2031 hosts the USA and Manu Samoa.

Expanded Format for 2027

Argentina will take on the Flying Fijians, Los Leones and the Canadian team as the World Cup expands to twenty-four nations from the twenty who took part in France.

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

While the victor of England and Wales's group may avoid some of the game's biggest beasts early on, they will have to face the runner-up from Group B – probably the Italians – in the last 16.

Four of the remaining six pool 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