The English side together with Wales will face off in the same pool for the 2027 RWC, promising a major early clash in Australia. Completing the group in Pool F by Tonga and Zimbabwe.
This draw mirrors their infamous meeting in the group phase of the 2015 tournament, where a Welsh win at England's home ground played a part in the hosts' surprise early exit.
Other Notable Group Pairings
Ireland alongside the Scots have likewise been drawn in a pool once again, just as the situation from the 2023 edition. On that occasion, they claimed a 36-14 victory, with their opponents failing to advance to the knockout stages.
Uruguay and Os Lobos, who each impressed as surprise packages in the last World Cup, complete that same group.
Significantly, the winners of these two groups cannot meet holders and top-ranked South Africa before the final, assuming the Springboks win their own group.
Knockout Implications
Should the groups conclude according to the current global standings, other top favourites like New Zealand and France would remain separated from both England and the Irish all the way to the championship decider.
In that scenario, Los Pumas would be the remaining highly-seeded nation on that half of the elimination bracket as England and Ireland.
Tournament Hosts Face Major Fixture
Tournament hosts Australia find themselves together with their trans-Tasman rivals and triple champions New Zealand in Group A.
Australia will open the World Cup in Perth on 1 October 2027 in a blockbuster fixture 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 United States and Samoa.
Larger Format for 2027
Argentina will face Fiji, Spain and the Canadian team as the World Cup grows to 24 teams from the 20 who competed in 2023.
This edition will feature a last-16 stage for the first time in Rugby World Cup existence.
While the victor of Pool F may avoid some of the rugby's heavyweights early on, they will meet the second-placed team from Group B – most likely the Italians – in the first knockout round.
Four of the other six pool 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
