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England together with Wales find themselves placed in an identical group for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, promising a highly-anticipated pool stage encounter in the tournament Down Under. Completing the group in Group F by Tonga and Zimbabwe.

This draw mirrors their memorable meeting in the group phase of the 2015 tournament, where Wales' victory at England's home ground contributed to the English team's surprise early exit.

Key Group Pairings

Ireland alongside Scotland also share a group together, just as the situation from the France 2023 tournament. On that occasion, they claimed a convincing win, with Scotland unable to progress 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 victors of both Pool D and Pool F are kept apart from holders and top-ranked the Springboks until the showpiece match, assuming the Springboks top their own group.

Tournament Ramifications

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 the English and Ireland until the championship decider.

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

Tournament Hosts Face Blockbuster Fixture

Tournament hosts the Wallabies have been drawn together with their great rivals and three-time winners New Zealand in Group A.

The Wallabies will kick off the World Cup in Perth on 1 October 2027 in a marquee match aimed at launch the event.

Elsewhere, reigning champions South Africa have been paired with Italy, Georgia and Romania. France are in a pool with the Brave Blossoms, future hosts the USA and Samoa.

Expanded Format for 2027

Los Pumas will take on the Flying Fijians, Los Leones and Canada as the tournament expands to twenty-four nations from the 20 who competed in France.

The 2027 tournament will introduce a last-16 round for the first time in Rugby World Cup existence.

Although the winner of Pool F may avoid some of the game's heavyweights initially, they will have to face the second-placed team from Pool B – most likely the Italians – in the last 16.

A total of four of the other six group winners will play a team that finished third 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