The English along with Wales Pitted Together for RWC 2027 in Australia

The English side together with Wales have been drawn in the same group for the World Cup in 2027, promising a major early clash in the tournament Down Under. Completing the group in Group F by Tonga and Zimbabwe.

This draw echoes their famous clash in the group phase of the 2015 tournament, where a Welsh win at Twickenham played a part in the English team's surprise group stage elimination.

Other Notable Group Draws

Ireland and Scotland have likewise been drawn in a group once again, just as the scenario from the France 2023 tournament. In that tournament, they claimed a 36-14 victory, with Scotland unable to progress to the knockout stages.

Uruguay and Portugal, both impressed as surprise packages in France, round out that Pool D.

Notably, the winners of these two groups cannot meet defending champions and top-ranked South Africa until the final, presuming the Springboks top their own group.

Knockout Ramifications

Should the pools conclude according to the current global standings, other leading contenders like the All Blacks and Les Bleus would remain separated from the likes of England and Ireland all the way to the championship decider.

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

Tournament Hosts Face Major Fixture

Tournament hosts the Wallabies have been drawn alongside their great rivals and three-time winners the All Blacks in Pool A.

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

In other groups, reigning champions the Springboks have drawn Italy, Georgia and the Oaks. The French team are in a pool with the Brave Blossoms, future hosts the USA and Manu Samoa.

Expanded Format for 2027

Los Pumas will face Fiji, Spain and Canada as the tournament expands to 24 teams from the 20 who took part in France.

This edition will introduce a round of 16 round for the very first time in Rugby World Cup existence.

Although the victor of Pool F may be kept apart from some of the game's biggest beasts early on, they will meet the second-placed team from Group B – probably the Italians – in the first knockout round.

Four of the remaining six pool winners will face a team that finished third from the initial group phase.

RWC 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