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The English side together with Wales find themselves placed in the same pool for the World Cup in 2027, promising a highly-anticipated early encounter in the tournament Down Under. They are joined in Pool F by the Tongan Ikale Tahi and Zimbabwe.

This draw echoes their famous meeting in the group phase of the 2015 tournament, where Wales' victory at England's home ground played a part in the hosts' surprise early exit.

Other Notable Group Draws

Ireland and Scotland also share a group together, just as the scenario from the 2023 edition. On that occasion, Ireland claimed a convincing victory, with Scotland unable to progress to the quarter-finals.

Uruguay and Os Lobos, who each made a strong impression as underdogs in the last World Cup, complete that same group.

Notably, the victors of these two groups are kept apart from defending champions and top-ranked the Springboks before the final, assuming the South Africans win their own group.

Tournament Ramifications

Should the pools conclude according to the current world rankings, further top favourites like New Zealand and France would also be kept apart from the likes of England and Ireland until the championship decider.

Under those circumstances, Argentina would be the other top-ranked nation on the same side of the knockout draw as those northern hemisphere teams.

Hosts Draw Blockbuster Opener

Hosts the Wallabies find themselves together with their trans-Tasman rivals and triple champions New Zealand in Group A.

The Wallabies will open the World Cup in the city of Perth on October 1st, 2027 in a marquee match designed to jump-start the competition.

In other groups, reigning champions South Africa have drawn Italy, Georgia and the Oaks. The French team are grouped with Japan, future hosts the USA and Manu Samoa.

Larger Tournament for 2027

Argentina will face the Flying Fijians, Los Leones and the Canadian team as the World Cup grows to 24 teams from the twenty who competed in France.

This edition will introduce a last-16 stage for the first time in the competition's existence.

While the winner of Pool F may avoid some of the game's biggest beasts early on, they will meet the runner-up from Pool B – probably the Italians – in the first knockout round.

Four of the other six group winners will face a third-placed side from the pool stages.

Rugby World Cup 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