The English side together with their Welsh counterparts have been drawn in an identical pool for the World Cup in 2027, setting up a major early encounter in Australia. They are joined in Pool F by Tonga and Zimbabwe.
This draw mirrors their famous clash in the group phase of the 2015 tournament, where Wales' victory at England's home ground contributed to the hosts' surprise group stage elimination.
Other Notable Group Draws
Ireland and the Scots have likewise been drawn in a pool together, replicating the situation from the France 2023 tournament. On that occasion, they claimed a convincing victory, with Scotland unable to progress to the knockout stages.
Uruguay and Portugal, both made a strong impression as underdogs in France, complete that Pool D.
Significantly, the victors of both Pool D and Pool F cannot meet holders and top-ranked the Springboks until the final, assuming the South Africans top their assigned pool.
Tournament Implications
If the groups conclude according to the current global standings, other leading contenders like the All Blacks and Les Bleus would also be kept apart from both England and Ireland all the way to the championship decider.
Under those circumstances, Los Pumas would be the other highly-seeded nation on the same half of the knockout draw as England and Ireland.
Tournament Hosts Draw Major Fixture
Hosts the Wallabies have been drawn alongside their trans-Tasman rivals and three-time winners the All Blacks in Group A.
Australia will open the tournament in Perth on 1 October 2027 in a blockbuster match designed to launch the event.
Elsewhere, reigning champions South Africa have drawn the Azzurri, the Lelos and Romania. The French team are grouped with the Brave Blossoms, 2031 hosts the United States and Manu Samoa.
Expanded Format for 2027
Argentina will face the Flying Fijians, Los Leones and the Canadian team as the tournament grows to twenty-four nations from the twenty who took part in France.
The 2027 tournament will introduce a round of 16 stage for the first time in Rugby World Cup existence.
Although the victor of England and Wales's group may be kept apart from some of the game's biggest beasts initially, they will have to face the second-placed team from Group B – most likely the Italians – in the last 16.
Four of the remaining six group winners will play a team that finished third from the initial group phase.
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
