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England together with Wales have been drawn in the same group for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, promising a major early clash in the tournament Down Under. They are joined in Pool F by the Tongan Ikale Tahi and the Zimbabwean Sables.

This pairing echoes their memorable clash in the pool stages of the 2015 World Cup, where a Welsh win at England's home ground played a part in the hosts' surprise early exit.

Key Group Draws

The Irish and Scotland also share a group once again, replicating the situation from the France 2023 tournament. On that occasion, Ireland secured a convincing victory, with their opponents failing to progress to the knockout stages.

Uruguay and Portugal, who each made a strong impression as surprise packages in the last World Cup, round out that Pool D.

Significantly, the winners of both Pool D and Pool F are kept apart from holders and world number one the Springboks until the final, presuming the Springboks top their own group.

Knockout Ramifications

Should the groups conclude in line with the current global standings, further top favourites like New Zealand and Les Bleus would also be kept apart from the likes of England and Ireland all the way to the championship decider.

Under those circumstances, Argentina would be the other highly-seeded nation on the same half of the knockout draw as those northern hemisphere teams.

Tournament Hosts Face Major Opener

Hosts Australia find themselves 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 launch the event.

Elsewhere, holders the Springboks have drawn the Azzurri, Georgia and the Oaks. France are in a pool with Japan, future hosts the United States and Samoa.

Expanded Format for 2027

Argentina will take on Fiji, Spain and Canada as the World Cup grows to 24 teams from the twenty who competed in 2023.

This edition will feature a round of 16 round for the first time in Rugby World Cup history.

Although the victor of Pool F may be kept apart from some of the rugby's heavyweights early on, they will have to face the runner-up from Group B – most likely Italy – in the last 16.

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

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