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The English side and Wales have been drawn in the same group for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, setting up a highly-anticipated early clash in the tournament Down Under. Completing the group in Pool F by Tonga and Zimbabwe.

This pairing echoes their infamous meeting in the pool stages of the 2015 World Cup, where Wales' victory at England's home ground contributed to the hosts' shock group stage elimination.

Key Group Pairings

The Irish alongside Scotland have likewise been drawn in a group together, replicating the situation from the France 2023 tournament. In that tournament, they claimed a convincing win, with their opponents failing to progress to the quarter-finals.

Los Teros and Os Lobos, both made a strong impression as underdogs in the last World Cup, complete that same group.

Significantly, the victors of both Pool D and Pool F cannot meet defending champions and world number one South Africa before the showpiece match, presuming the South Africans top their own group.

Tournament Implications

Should the pools play out according to the current global standings, other top favourites like the All Blacks and Les Bleus would also be kept apart from both the English and Ireland all the way to the championship decider.

In that scenario, Argentina would be the other top-ranked nation on the same side of the knockout draw as England and Ireland.

Hosts Face Major Fixture

Hosts Australia find themselves together with their trans-Tasman rivals and triple champions New Zealand in Pool A.

Australia will kick off the tournament in Perth on 1 October 2027 in a marquee match designed to launch the event.

Elsewhere, holders the Springboks have drawn Italy, the Lelos and the Oaks. France are grouped with the Brave Blossoms, future hosts the United States and Manu Samoa.

Expanded Tournament for 2027

Argentina will face Fiji, Spain and the Canadian team as the tournament expands to 24 teams from the twenty who took part in 2023.

The 2027 tournament will introduce a round of 16 stage for the very first time in Rugby World Cup existence.

Although the victor of England and Wales's group may be kept apart from some of the rugby's heavyweights initially, they will have to face the second-placed team from Group B – probably Italy – in the last 16.

Four of the remaining six group winners will play a third-placed side from the initial group phase.

RWC 2027 Groups

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