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England and Wales have been drawn in an identical group for the World Cup in 2027, promising a highly-anticipated pool stage encounter in Australia. Completing the group in Pool F by the Tongan Ikale Tahi and the Zimbabwean Sables.

This pairing recalls their memorable meeting in the pool stages of the 2015 World Cup, where a Welsh win at Twickenham played a part in the English team's shock early exit.

Key Pool Draws

The Irish and Scotland have likewise been drawn in a group once again, replicating the situation from the France 2023 tournament. In that tournament, they secured a convincing win, with Scotland unable to advance to the quarter-finals.

Los Teros and Os Lobos, both made a strong impression as underdogs in the last World Cup, complete that Pool D.

Notably, the victors of both Pool D and Pool F cannot meet defending champions and top-ranked the Springboks until the showpiece match, assuming the Springboks win their assigned pool.

Knockout Ramifications

Should the groups play out according to the current global standings, further top favourites like New Zealand and Les Bleus would remain separated from both England and Ireland until the final.

In that scenario, Los Pumas would be the remaining top-ranked nation on the same half of the elimination bracket as England and Ireland.

Hosts Face Blockbuster Opener

Hosts the Wallabies find themselves together with their trans-Tasman rivals and triple champions the All Blacks in Pool A.

Australia will open the World Cup in Perth on 1 October 2027 in a marquee fixture designed to jump-start the competition.

Elsewhere, reigning champions South Africa have been paired with the Azzurri, Georgia and the Oaks. The French team are in a pool with Japan, 2031 hosts the USA and Manu Samoa.

Larger Format for 2027

Argentina will take on Fiji, Spain and Canada as the World Cup grows to twenty-four nations from the 20 who took part in France.

This edition will introduce a last-16 round for the first time in the competition's history.

Although the winner of Pool F may avoid some of the game's heavyweights initially, they will have to face the runner-up from Pool B – probably the Italians – in the first knockout round.

A total of four of the other six pool winners will play a team that finished third 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