🔗 Share this article

England together with Wales find themselves placed in an identical group for the 2027 RWC, setting up a highly-anticipated early clash in the tournament Down Under. Completing the group in Pool F by Tonga and Zimbabwe.

This pairing mirrors their memorable clash in the pool stages of the 2015 World Cup, where Wales' victory at Twickenham contributed to the hosts' shock group stage elimination.

Other Notable Pool Pairings

The Irish and Scotland have likewise been drawn in a pool once again, replicating the situation from the 2023 edition. On that occasion, they claimed a 36-14 victory, with their opponents failing to progress to the quarter-finals.

Uruguay and Os Lobos, both impressed as underdogs in France, complete that same group.

Notably, the victors of these two groups are kept apart from holders and top-ranked South Africa until the final, presuming the Springboks top their assigned pool.

Knockout Implications

If the pools conclude according to the current world rankings, further leading contenders like New Zealand and France would remain separated from the likes of England and Ireland until the final.

Under those circumstances, Los Pumas would be the remaining highly-seeded nation on that half of the elimination bracket as England and Ireland.

Hosts Draw Major Fixture

Tournament hosts Australia have been drawn together with their great rivals and triple champions New Zealand in Pool A.

Australia will kick off the tournament in the city of Perth on October 1st, 2027 in a marquee fixture designed to launch the competition.

Elsewhere, reigning champions South Africa have drawn Italy, Georgia and Romania. The French team are in a pool with Japan, 2031 hosts the USA and Samoa.

Expanded Format for 2027

Argentina will take on Fiji, Spain and Canada as the tournament grows to 24 teams from the 20 who took part in 2023.

The 2027 tournament will introduce a round of 16 round for the 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 runner-up from Group B – most likely Italy – in the first knockout round.

A total of four of the remaining six pool winners will play 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