🔗 Share this article

England together with Wales find themselves placed in the same pool for the 2027 RWC, setting up a highly-anticipated pool stage clash in the tournament Down Under. Completing the group in Group F by the Tongan Ikale Tahi and the Zimbabwean Sables.

This pairing echoes their memorable meeting in the pool stages of the 2015 World Cup, where a Welsh win at England's home ground contributed to the English team's surprise early exit.

Key Pool Draws

Ireland alongside Scotland have likewise been drawn in a pool once again, just as the situation from the France 2023 tournament. On that occasion, they secured a convincing victory, with Scotland failing to progress to the knockout stages.

Uruguay and Portugal, who each impressed as underdogs in France, complete that same group.

Significantly, the victors of these two groups cannot meet holders and world number one South Africa until the showpiece match, presuming the Springboks top their assigned pool.

Knockout Implications

Should the pools conclude in line with the current global standings, further top favourites like the All Blacks and France would remain separated from the likes of the English and Ireland until the championship decider.

In that scenario, Argentina would be the other top-ranked nation on the same half of the knockout draw as those northern hemisphere teams.

Tournament Hosts Draw Blockbuster Fixture

Tournament hosts Australia find themselves together with their great rivals and triple champions the All Blacks in Group A.

The Wallabies will kick off the tournament in the city of Perth on 1 October 2027 in a blockbuster fixture designed to launch the competition.

In other groups, reigning champions South Africa have been paired with Italy, Georgia and Romania. France are in a pool with Japan, 2031 hosts the United States and Samoa.

Larger Format for 2027

Argentina will take on Fiji, Spain and Canada 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 first time in the competition's history.

While the winner of England and Wales's group may avoid some of the game's heavyweights initially, they will meet the runner-up from Pool B – probably the Italians – in the last 16.

Four of the remaining six group winners will face 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