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England together with their Welsh counterparts find themselves placed in an identical pool for the World Cup in 2027, setting up a highly-anticipated early encounter in the tournament Down Under. They are joined in Pool F by the Tongan Ikale Tahi and the Zimbabwean Sables.

This draw echoes their infamous clash in the group phase of the 2015 World Cup, where Wales' victory at Twickenham played a part in the English team's surprise early exit.

Key Pool Draws

The Irish and the Scots have likewise been drawn in a group together, just as the situation from the 2023 edition. In that tournament, Ireland secured a convincing victory, with Scotland failing to advance to the quarter-finals.

Uruguay and Portugal, both made a strong impression as underdogs in the last World Cup, complete that Pool D.

Significantly, the victors of these two groups are kept apart from defending champions and world number one the Springboks before the showpiece match, assuming the Springboks top their own group.

Knockout Implications

If the pools conclude in line with the current world rankings, other top favourites like New Zealand and France would remain separated from the likes of England and Ireland all the way to the final.

Under those circumstances, Los Pumas would be the other highly-seeded nation on that half of the knockout draw as England and Ireland.

Hosts Face Major Fixture

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

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

Elsewhere, reigning champions South Africa have been paired with Italy, Georgia and the Oaks. The French team are grouped with the Brave Blossoms, 2031 hosts the USA and Samoa.

Larger Tournament for 2027

Los Pumas will take on the Flying Fijians, Los Leones and Canada as the World Cup expands to 24 teams from the 20 who took part in France.

The 2027 tournament will introduce a round of 16 stage for the first time in the competition's existence.

While the victor of Pool F may avoid some of the game's heavyweights early on, they will meet the second-placed team from Pool B – most likely Italy – in the last 16.

Four of the other six group winners will play a team that finished third from the initial group phase.

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