England and Wales have been drawn in the same group for the 2027 RWC, setting up a major early encounter in Australia. They are joined in Group F by Tonga and Zimbabwe.
This pairing recalls their famous clash in the pool stages of the 2015 World Cup, where Wales' victory at England's home ground played a part in the English team's surprise group stage elimination.
Other Notable Pool Draws
Ireland alongside the Scots also share a group together, just as the situation from the 2023 edition. In that tournament, they claimed a convincing victory, with their opponents failing to advance to the quarter-finals.
Los Teros and Os Lobos, both impressed as underdogs in the last World Cup, round out that same group.
Significantly, the victors of both Pool D and Pool F are kept apart from defending champions and world number one South Africa until the showpiece match, assuming the South Africans win their assigned pool.
Knockout Ramifications
Should the groups conclude according to the current global standings, other top favourites like the All Blacks and France would also be kept apart from the likes of England and the Irish all the way to the championship decider.
Under those circumstances, Los Pumas would be the other top-ranked nation on that half of the knockout draw as those northern hemisphere teams.
Hosts Face Blockbuster Opener
Tournament hosts Australia have been drawn alongside their great rivals and three-time winners New Zealand in Group A.
Australia will open the World Cup in the city of Perth on October 1st, 2027 in a marquee fixture designed to jump-start the event.
Elsewhere, holders South Africa have drawn Italy, Georgia and Romania. France are grouped with the Brave Blossoms, future hosts the USA and Samoa.
Expanded Format for 2027
Argentina will face Fiji, Los Leones and the Canadian team as the World Cup expands to 24 teams from the 20 who took part in 2023.
This edition will feature a last-16 round for the very first time in the competition's history.
While the winner of Pool F may be kept apart from some of the rugby's heavyweights initially, they will meet the runner-up from Pool B – most likely the Italians – in the last 16.
A total of four of the remaining six group winners will play a third-placed side from the initial group phase.
Rugby World Cup 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
