The English side together with their Welsh counterparts will face off in the same pool for the World Cup in 2027, setting up a major early clash in Australia. Completing the group in Pool F by Tonga and Zimbabwe.
This pairing echoes their infamous meeting in the group phase of the 2015 World Cup, where Wales' victory at England's home ground contributed to the hosts' surprise early exit.
Key Group Pairings
Ireland alongside Scotland also share a pool together, replicating the scenario from the 2023 edition. In that tournament, Ireland secured a convincing win, with Scotland unable to advance to the knockout stages.
Uruguay and Os Lobos, who each impressed as surprise packages in France, round out that same group.
Significantly, the victors of these two groups are kept apart from holders and world number one South Africa until the final, assuming the South Africans win their assigned pool.
Tournament Ramifications
Should the groups play out according to the current world rankings, further leading contenders like New Zealand and France would remain separated from the likes of England and the Irish until the final.
In that scenario, Los Pumas would be the other highly-seeded nation on that side of the elimination bracket as England and Ireland.
Hosts Face Major Fixture
Hosts the Wallabies find themselves together with their great rivals and three-time winners New Zealand in Group A.
The Wallabies will open the World Cup in Perth on October 1st, 2027 in a blockbuster match designed to jump-start the competition.
Elsewhere, reigning champions South Africa have been paired with the Azzurri, Georgia and Romania. France are in a pool with Japan, future hosts the United States and Manu Samoa.
Larger Tournament for 2027
Argentina will take on the Flying Fijians, Los Leones and the Canadian team as the tournament grows to twenty-four nations from the 20 who competed in France.
This edition will feature a round of 16 round for the first time in Rugby World Cup existence.
While the winner of England and Wales's group may avoid some of the rugby's biggest beasts early on, they will have to face the second-placed team from Group B – probably Italy – in the first knockout round.
Four of the other six group 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
