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England and their Welsh counterparts find themselves placed in an identical pool for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, promising a highly-anticipated pool stage clash in the tournament Down Under. They are joined in Pool F by Tonga and Zimbabwe.

This pairing recalls their memorable meeting in the pool stages of the 2015 tournament, where Wales' victory at Twickenham contributed to the hosts' surprise group stage elimination.

Other Notable Pool Pairings

Ireland alongside Scotland have likewise been drawn in a group once again, just as the scenario from the France 2023 tournament. In that tournament, Ireland secured a convincing win, with Scotland failing to advance to the quarter-finals.

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

Notably, the winners of these two groups cannot meet defending champions and top-ranked South Africa until the final, presuming the Springboks win their assigned pool.

Knockout Ramifications

Should the groups play out in line with the current global standings, other leading contenders like New Zealand and Les Bleus would also be kept apart from the likes of England and the Irish all the way to the championship decider.

Under those circumstances, Argentina would be the other top-ranked nation on the same side of the elimination bracket as England and Ireland.

Tournament Hosts Draw Blockbuster Fixture

Tournament hosts Australia find themselves together with their great rivals and triple champions New Zealand in Group A.

The Wallabies will kick off the World Cup in Perth on 1 October 2027 in a marquee fixture designed to launch the competition.

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

Expanded Tournament for 2027

Los Pumas will take on Fiji, Los Leones and Canada as the World Cup expands to 24 teams from the 20 who took part in France.

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

Although the victor of Pool F may avoid some of the rugby's biggest beasts initially, they will meet the second-placed team from Group 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 pool stages.

RWC 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