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England and their Welsh counterparts will face off in an identical pool for the World Cup in 2027, promising a major pool stage clash in Australia. Completing the group in Group F by Tonga and the Zimbabwean Sables.

This draw mirrors their memorable clash in the pool stages of the 2015 World Cup, where a Welsh win at England's home ground contributed to the English team's shock early exit.

Key Pool Draws

The Irish and Scotland have likewise been drawn in a group once again, just as the situation from the 2023 edition. In that tournament, they secured a 36-14 victory, with Scotland failing to progress to the quarter-finals.

Los Teros and Os Lobos, both impressed as underdogs in France, round out that Pool D.

Significantly, the winners of these two groups cannot meet defending champions and world number one the Springboks until the final, assuming the Springboks win their assigned pool.

Tournament Implications

If the groups conclude according to the current global standings, further top favourites like the All Blacks and France would also be kept apart from the likes of England and Ireland until the championship decider.

In that scenario, Los Pumas would be the other highly-seeded nation on the same side of the elimination bracket as England and Ireland.

Tournament Hosts Face Major Opener

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

The Wallabies will open the tournament in Perth on October 1st, 2027 in a marquee fixture aimed at launch the competition.

Elsewhere, reigning champions the Springboks have drawn 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 Fiji, Los Leones and Canada as the World Cup expands to 24 teams from the twenty who competed in France.

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

While the victor of England and Wales's group may avoid some of the rugby's biggest beasts initially, they will have to face the second-placed team from Group B – most likely Italy – in the last 16.

Four of the remaining six pool winners will face a third-placed side from the pool stages.

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