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England together with Wales will face off in an identical pool for the World Cup in 2027, promising a major pool stage encounter in Australia. Completing the group in Pool F by the Tongan Ikale Tahi and Zimbabwe.

This draw recalls their infamous meeting in the pool stages of the 2015 tournament, where Wales' victory at Twickenham played a part in the English team's surprise early exit.

Other Notable Pool Draws

Ireland and Scotland also share a group once again, replicating the scenario from the 2023 edition. On that occasion, Ireland claimed a convincing win, with their opponents failing to advance to the quarter-finals.

Los Teros and Os Lobos, who each impressed as surprise packages in France, round out that same group.

Significantly, the winners of both Pool D and Pool F are kept apart from holders and top-ranked South Africa before the showpiece match, presuming the South Africans win their assigned pool.

Knockout Ramifications

If the pools conclude according to the current global standings, other top favourites like New Zealand and Les Bleus would also be kept apart from the likes of England and the Irish until the final.

Under those circumstances, Los Pumas would be the remaining top-ranked nation on that side of the knockout draw as those northern hemisphere teams.

Hosts Face Blockbuster Fixture

Tournament hosts the Wallabies have been drawn alongside their great rivals and triple champions New Zealand in Group A.

Australia will open the World Cup in Perth on October 1st, 2027 in a marquee match designed to launch the event.

Elsewhere, reigning champions the Springboks have drawn the Azzurri, the Lelos and the Oaks. The French team are grouped with the Brave Blossoms, future hosts the United States and Samoa.

Larger Tournament for 2027

Los Pumas will face the Flying Fijians, Spain and the Canadian team as the World Cup expands to 24 teams from the 20 who took part in France.

This edition will introduce a round of 16 stage for the very first time in the competition's history.

While the winner of England and Wales's group may be kept apart from some of the game's biggest beasts early on, they will have to face the second-placed team from Group B – probably Italy – in the first knockout round.

A total of four of the other six group winners will face a team that finished third from the pool stages.

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