The English side together with their Welsh counterparts find themselves placed in the same group for the 2027 RWC, setting up a highly-anticipated pool stage encounter in Australia. They are joined in Group F by Tonga and Zimbabwe.
This draw echoes their memorable clash in the group phase of the 2015 tournament, where Wales' victory at England's home ground contributed to the hosts' surprise early exit.
Other Notable Group Draws
Ireland and Scotland also share a group together, replicating the scenario from the 2023 edition. In that tournament, they claimed a 36-14 victory, with their opponents unable to advance to the quarter-finals.
Uruguay and Os Lobos, both made a strong impression as underdogs in the last World Cup, complete that Pool D.
Significantly, the victors of both Pool D and Pool F are kept apart from holders and top-ranked the Springboks until the showpiece match, assuming the Springboks top their assigned pool.
Tournament Implications
If the groups conclude according to the current global standings, further leading contenders like the All Blacks and France would remain separated from both the English and the Irish all the way to the final.
In that scenario, Argentina would be the other top-ranked nation on the same side of the elimination bracket as England and Ireland.
Tournament Hosts Draw Major Fixture
Tournament hosts the Wallabies find themselves alongside 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 match aimed at launch the event.
Elsewhere, reigning champions the Springboks have drawn Italy, Georgia and Romania. France are grouped with Japan, 2031 hosts the United States and Samoa.
Larger Tournament for 2027
Argentina will take on Fiji, Los Leones and the Canadian team as the tournament grows to twenty-four nations from the twenty who competed in 2023.
The 2027 tournament will introduce a round of 16 round for the first time in Rugby World Cup existence.
While the victor of Pool F may be kept apart from some of the game's heavyweights initially, they will meet the runner-up from Pool B – most likely Italy – in the last 16.
Four of the other six group winners will play a third-placed side from the pool stages.
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
