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England and Wales have been drawn in the same group for the World Cup in 2027, promising a highly-anticipated pool stage clash in the tournament Down Under. They are joined in Group F by the Tongan Ikale Tahi and Zimbabwe.

This pairing recalls their famous meeting in the group phase of the 2015 tournament, where Wales' victory at Twickenham contributed to the hosts' surprise early exit.

Other Notable Group Draws

Ireland alongside the Scots also share a group once again, replicating the situation from the 2023 edition. In that tournament, they secured a convincing win, with Scotland unable to advance to the quarter-finals.

Los Teros and Os Lobos, both impressed as surprise packages in the last World Cup, round out that Pool D.

Notably, the victors of both Pool D and Pool F are kept apart from defending champions and top-ranked the Springboks until the final, assuming the South Africans win their assigned pool.

Tournament Ramifications

If the groups play out in line with the current global standings, further leading contenders like the All Blacks and France would also be kept apart from both England and the Irish all the way to the final.

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

Tournament Hosts Face Major Opener

Hosts the Wallabies have been drawn alongside their great rivals and three-time winners New Zealand in Group A.

Australia will open the World Cup in the city of Perth on 1 October 2027 in a blockbuster fixture designed to launch the competition.

Elsewhere, holders South Africa have been paired with the Azzurri, the Lelos and the Oaks. France are in a pool with Japan, 2031 hosts the USA and Manu Samoa.

Expanded Format for 2027

Argentina will take on the Flying Fijians, Spain and the Canadian team as the tournament grows to 24 teams from the 20 who took part in France.

This edition will feature a last-16 stage for the very first time in the competition's existence.

While the victor of Pool F may avoid some of the rugby's heavyweights initially, they will have to face the runner-up from Pool B – probably the Italians – in the first knockout round.

A total of four of the remaining six group winners will face 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