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The English side and their Welsh counterparts will face off in an identical group for the World Cup in 2027, promising a highly-anticipated early encounter in Australia. Completing the group in Pool F by the Tongan Ikale Tahi and Zimbabwe.

This pairing recalls their infamous meeting in the pool stages of the 2015 World Cup, where a Welsh win at Twickenham contributed to the hosts' shock early exit.

Other Notable Group Draws

The Irish alongside the Scots also share a group once again, replicating the situation from the France 2023 tournament. On that occasion, Ireland claimed a 36-14 win, with Scotland failing to advance to the knockout stages.

Uruguay and Portugal, who each made a strong impression as surprise packages in the last World Cup, complete that Pool D.

Significantly, the victors of these two groups are kept apart from defending champions and top-ranked South Africa until the showpiece match, presuming the Springboks top their own group.

Knockout Ramifications

If the pools play out in line with the current world rankings, other leading contenders like New Zealand and France would also be kept apart from the likes of England and Ireland until the final.

In that scenario, Los Pumas would be the other top-ranked nation on the same side of the knockout draw as England and Ireland.

Hosts Face Blockbuster Fixture

Tournament hosts the Wallabies find themselves together with their trans-Tasman rivals and three-time winners New Zealand in Pool A.

The Wallabies will open the World Cup in Perth on October 1st, 2027 in a marquee fixture aimed at jump-start the event.

In other groups, reigning champions the Springboks have drawn Italy, Georgia and the Oaks. France are in a pool with Japan, 2031 hosts the United States and Samoa.

Larger Format for 2027

Argentina will face Fiji, Los Leones and Canada as the tournament expands to 24 teams from the 20 who took part in 2023.

This edition will introduce a last-16 stage for the first time in Rugby World Cup history.

While the winner of Pool F may be kept apart from some of the game's biggest beasts early on, they will have to face the runner-up from Pool B – most likely Italy – in the first knockout round.

Four of the remaining six pool winners will face 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