England and their Welsh counterparts have been drawn in the same pool for the 2027 RWC, setting up a major pool stage clash in Australia. They are joined in Pool F by Tonga and the Zimbabwean Sables.
This draw recalls their famous clash in the group phase of the 2015 World Cup, where Wales' victory at England's home ground contributed to the English team's surprise early exit.
Key Group Pairings
Ireland and Scotland have likewise been drawn in a pool once again, replicating the situation from the 2023 edition. In that tournament, Ireland secured a 36-14 win, with Scotland unable to progress to the knockout stages.
Los Teros and Os Lobos, who each impressed as underdogs in the last World Cup, round out that same group.
Significantly, the winners of both Pool D and Pool F are kept apart from holders and world number one the Springboks before the final, assuming the Springboks top their assigned pool.
Knockout Ramifications
Should the groups conclude in line with the current world rankings, other leading contenders like the All Blacks and France would remain separated from both England and the Irish until the final.
Under those circumstances, Los Pumas would be the remaining highly-seeded nation on the same side of the knockout draw as those northern hemisphere teams.
Hosts Face Major Fixture
Hosts Australia find themselves alongside their trans-Tasman rivals and triple champions the All Blacks in Pool A.
Australia will open the tournament in the city of Perth on 1 October 2027 in a marquee match designed to launch the event.
Elsewhere, reigning champions South Africa have been paired with the Azzurri, Georgia and Romania. France are grouped with the Brave Blossoms, future hosts the United States and Samoa.
Expanded Tournament for 2027
Los Pumas will take on the Flying Fijians, Spain and Canada as the World Cup expands to twenty-four nations from the twenty who competed in 2023.
This edition will feature a last-16 round for the first time in the competition's history.
While the winner of England and Wales's group may be kept apart from some of the game's heavyweights initially, they will meet the runner-up from Group B – probably Italy – in the first knockout round.
Four of the remaining six group winners will play 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
