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The English side and Wales will face off in an identical pool for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, setting up a major pool stage clash in the tournament Down Under. They are joined in Pool F by Tonga and Zimbabwe.

This pairing echoes their famous meeting in the group phase of the 2015 World Cup, where a Welsh win at England's home ground played a part in the hosts' shock early exit.

Key Group Draws

The Irish and the Scots also share a pool once again, just as the scenario from the 2023 edition. On that occasion, Ireland secured a 36-14 win, with their opponents unable to advance to the knockout stages.

Uruguay and Os Lobos, who each made a strong impression as underdogs in France, round out that Pool D.

Significantly, the winners of both Pool D and Pool F cannot meet defending champions and top-ranked South Africa before the final, assuming the South Africans win their assigned pool.

Tournament Ramifications

Should the pools play out according to the current world rankings, further leading contenders like New Zealand and France would remain separated from both the English and Ireland all the way to the final.

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

Tournament Hosts Face Major Fixture

Hosts Australia find themselves alongside their great rivals and three-time winners New Zealand in Group A.

The Wallabies will open the World Cup in the city of Perth on 1 October 2027 in a blockbuster fixture aimed at jump-start the event.

Elsewhere, reigning champions South Africa have been paired with Italy, Georgia and the Oaks. France are grouped with the Brave Blossoms, future hosts the United States and Samoa.

Expanded Format for 2027

Los Pumas will face Fiji, Spain and the Canadian team as the tournament grows to 24 teams from the 20 who competed in 2023.

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

While the victor of England and Wales's group may avoid some of the rugby's heavyweights initially, they will have to face the runner-up from Group B – most likely the Italians – in the last 16.

A total of four of the remaining six pool winners will face a team that finished third from the pool stages.

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