England together with Wales have been drawn in an identical group for the World Cup in 2027, promising a major early clash in the tournament Down Under. Completing the group in Pool F by Tonga and Zimbabwe.
This pairing recalls their memorable meeting in the group phase of the 2015 tournament, where Wales' victory at England's home ground contributed to the English team's shock early exit.
Key Pool Draws
Ireland alongside the Scots have likewise been drawn in a group together, just as the situation from the 2023 edition. In that tournament, they secured a convincing win, with Scotland failing to progress to the quarter-finals.
Los Teros and Portugal, both made a strong impression as underdogs in France, complete that same group.
Notably, the winners of these two groups cannot meet defending champions and top-ranked South Africa until the showpiece match, assuming the South Africans top their assigned pool.
Knockout Ramifications
If the groups conclude according to the current world rankings, other top favourites like New Zealand and France would remain separated from both the English and Ireland all the way to the final.
Under those circumstances, Argentina would be the remaining highly-seeded nation on that half of the elimination bracket as those northern hemisphere teams.
Tournament Hosts Draw Major Fixture
Tournament hosts Australia find themselves alongside their great rivals and three-time winners New Zealand in Pool A.
Australia will open the tournament in the city of Perth on October 1st, 2027 in a marquee fixture designed to jump-start the event.
In other groups, reigning champions the Springboks have drawn the Azzurri, the Lelos and Romania. France are grouped with Japan, future hosts the USA and Samoa.
Larger Format for 2027
Argentina will face Fiji, Spain and the Canadian team as the tournament grows to twenty-four nations from the twenty who competed in France.
This edition will feature a last-16 round for the very first time in the competition's history.
Although the winner 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 – most likely Italy – in the first knockout round.
Four of the other six group winners will face a third-placed side from the initial group phase.
RWC 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
