England and Wales Drawn Together for the 2027 World Cup Down Under

England and Wales will face off in an identical group for the 2027 RWC, setting up a major early encounter in the tournament Down Under. They are joined in Pool F by the Tongan Ikale Tahi and the Zimbabwean Sables.

This draw recalls their infamous meeting in the group phase of the 2015 World Cup, where Wales' victory at England's home ground played a part in the hosts' shock early exit.

Other Notable Group Pairings

The Irish alongside the Scots have likewise been drawn in a pool once again, just as the situation from the 2023 edition. On that occasion, Ireland claimed a convincing win, with Scotland unable to progress to the knockout stages.

Uruguay and Os Lobos, both impressed as surprise packages in France, complete that Pool D.

Notably, the winners of both Pool D and Pool F are kept apart from defending champions and top-ranked the Springboks before the final, assuming the Springboks win their assigned pool.

Tournament Ramifications

Should the groups conclude in line with the current world rankings, further top favourites like New Zealand and Les Bleus would remain separated from both the English and the Irish until the final.

Under those circumstances, Argentina would be the remaining top-ranked nation on the same side of the knockout draw as those northern hemisphere teams.

Tournament Hosts Face Major Opener

Tournament hosts the Wallabies find themselves alongside their great rivals and triple champions the All Blacks in Group A.

The Wallabies will open the World Cup in Perth on October 1st, 2027 in a blockbuster match aimed at launch the event.

Elsewhere, reigning champions the Springboks have drawn Italy, the Lelos and the Oaks. The French team are in a pool with Japan, future hosts the USA and Manu Samoa.

Expanded Format for 2027

Los Pumas will face the Flying Fijians, Spain and Canada as the World Cup grows to 24 teams from the twenty who took part in France.

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

While the winner of Pool F may be kept apart from some of the game's heavyweights initially, they will meet the second-placed team from Pool B – most likely Italy – in the last 16.

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

RWC 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