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England and Wales have been drawn in the same group for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, setting up a major early clash in the tournament Down Under. Completing the group in Pool F by the Tongan Ikale Tahi and the Zimbabwean Sables.

This draw echoes their famous meeting in the group phase of the 2015 tournament, where a Welsh win at Twickenham contributed to the hosts' surprise group stage elimination.

Key Group Pairings

Ireland and Scotland also share a group once again, just as the scenario from the France 2023 tournament. On that occasion, Ireland claimed a 36-14 victory, with Scotland unable to progress to the knockout stages.

Los Teros and Os Lobos, who each impressed as underdogs in France, complete that same group.

Notably, the victors of both Pool D and Pool F cannot meet defending champions and top-ranked South Africa until the final, presuming the Springboks top their own group.

Knockout Implications

If the pools conclude in line with the current global standings, other leading contenders like New Zealand and France would also be kept apart from both England and the Irish all the way to the final.

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

Tournament Hosts Face Major Fixture

Tournament hosts the Wallabies have been drawn together with their trans-Tasman rivals and three-time winners the All Blacks in Pool A.

The Wallabies will open the tournament in the city of Perth on 1 October 2027 in a marquee fixture designed to launch the event.

In other groups, reigning champions South Africa have drawn the Azzurri, Georgia and Romania. France are grouped with the Brave Blossoms, 2031 hosts the USA and Manu Samoa.

Larger Format for 2027

Los Pumas will face Fiji, Spain and the Canadian team as the tournament expands to 24 teams from the twenty who competed in 2023.

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

Although the winner of Pool F may be kept apart from some of the game's heavyweights early on, they will meet the second-placed team from Pool B – most likely Italy – in the first knockout round.

Four of the other six pool winners will face a team that finished third 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