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England and Wales have been drawn in an identical group for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, setting up a major early encounter in the tournament Down Under. Completing the group in Pool F by Tonga and the Zimbabwean Sables.

This draw echoes their famous clash in the group phase of the 2015 tournament, where Wales' victory at Twickenham played a part in the English team's surprise early exit.

Key Group Draws

Ireland alongside Scotland also share a group together, replicating the scenario from the France 2023 tournament. In that tournament, Ireland secured a convincing victory, with their opponents unable to advance to the knockout stages.

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

Significantly, the winners of both Pool D and Pool F are kept apart from defending champions and top-ranked South Africa before the showpiece match, presuming the Springboks win their assigned pool.

Knockout Ramifications

If the pools conclude according to the current global standings, further leading contenders like the All Blacks and France would also be kept apart from both the English and Ireland until the championship decider.

Under those circumstances, Los Pumas would be the other highly-seeded nation on that side of the knockout draw as England and Ireland.

Hosts Face Blockbuster Opener

Hosts Australia have been drawn alongside their great rivals and three-time winners New Zealand in Pool A.

The Wallabies will kick off the World Cup in the city of Perth on October 1st, 2027 in a marquee match aimed at launch the competition.

Elsewhere, holders South Africa have drawn the Azzurri, Georgia and Romania. France are in a pool with Japan, 2031 hosts the United States and Samoa.

Expanded Format for 2027

Argentina will take on the Flying Fijians, Los Leones and the Canadian team as the tournament grows to twenty-four nations from the 20 who took part in 2023.

This edition will feature a round of 16 stage for the very first time in the competition's existence.

Although the victor of Pool F may be kept apart from some of the rugby's heavyweights initially, they will meet the second-placed team from Group B – probably 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 initial group phase.

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