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The English side and Wales have been drawn in an identical group for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, setting up a major pool stage encounter in Australia. They are joined in Pool F by Tonga and Zimbabwe.

This draw echoes their infamous meeting in the group phase of the 2015 tournament, where a Welsh win at England's home ground contributed to the hosts' shock group stage elimination.

Key Group Pairings

Ireland alongside the Scots have likewise been drawn in a group together, just as the scenario from the 2023 edition. In that tournament, they secured a convincing win, with Scotland failing to advance to the knockout stages.

Los Teros and Portugal, who each made a strong impression as underdogs in France, complete that same group.

Significantly, the victors of these two groups are kept apart from holders and world number one South Africa before the final, assuming the Springboks top their assigned pool.

Knockout Implications

Should the groups play out in line with the current global standings, other top favourites like the All Blacks and Les Bleus would remain separated from both England and Ireland all the way to the final.

In that scenario, Los Pumas would be the other highly-seeded nation on the same side of the elimination bracket as those northern hemisphere teams.

Hosts Draw Major Fixture

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

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

Elsewhere, holders the Springboks have been paired with the Azzurri, the Lelos and the Oaks. The French team are in a pool with Japan, future hosts the USA and Samoa.

Expanded Tournament for 2027

Argentina will take on Fiji, Spain and Canada as the tournament expands to 24 teams from the 20 who competed in France.

This edition will feature a round of 16 round for the very first time in Rugby World Cup history.

Although the winner of Pool F may be kept apart from some of the rugby's heavyweights initially, they will meet the runner-up from Group B – most likely Italy – in the last 16.

Four of the remaining six group 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