🔗 Share this article

The English side and their Welsh counterparts have been drawn in an identical pool for the World Cup in 2027, promising a major early encounter in Australia. Completing the group in Group F by the Tongan Ikale Tahi and Zimbabwe.

This draw mirrors their memorable clash in the pool stages of the 2015 World Cup, where Wales' victory at England's home ground played a part in the English team's shock group stage elimination.

Other Notable Group Pairings

Ireland alongside the Scots also share a group together, just as the scenario from the France 2023 tournament. On that occasion, Ireland claimed a 36-14 victory, with their opponents failing to progress to the knockout stages.

Uruguay and Portugal, both impressed as surprise packages in France, round out that Pool D.

Significantly, the victors of both Pool D and Pool F cannot meet holders and top-ranked South Africa before the final, assuming the South Africans top their own group.

Knockout Implications

Should the groups conclude in line with the current global standings, further top favourites like the All Blacks and France would also be kept apart from both England and the Irish until the championship decider.

Under those circumstances, Argentina would be the other top-ranked nation on that half of the knockout draw as England and Ireland.

Tournament Hosts Face Blockbuster Opener

Tournament hosts Australia have been drawn alongside their trans-Tasman rivals and triple champions the All Blacks in Pool A.

The Wallabies will open the tournament in Perth on October 1st, 2027 in a blockbuster match designed to jump-start the event.

Elsewhere, reigning champions South Africa have been paired with the Azzurri, Georgia and the Oaks. The French team are in a pool with the Brave Blossoms, future hosts the USA and Manu Samoa.

Larger Tournament for 2027

Argentina will take on the Flying Fijians, Los Leones and Canada as the World Cup grows to 24 teams from the twenty who competed in 2023.

This edition will introduce 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 game's heavyweights initially, they will have to face the runner-up from Pool B – probably the Italians – in the last 16.

A total of four of the other six group winners will face a third-placed side 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