The English side together with Wales have been drawn in an identical pool for the 2027 RWC, promising a major pool stage encounter in the tournament Down Under. They are joined in Group F by Tonga and Zimbabwe.
This draw mirrors their memorable clash in the pool stages of the 2015 tournament, where Wales' victory at England's home ground played a part in the English team's surprise early exit.
Other Notable Pool Draws
Ireland and the Scots have likewise been drawn in a group together, just as the scenario from the 2023 edition. On that occasion, they claimed a 36-14 victory, with Scotland failing to progress to the knockout stages.
Los Teros and Portugal, who each impressed as underdogs in the last World Cup, complete that Pool D.
Notably, the winners of these two groups are kept apart from defending champions and world number one South Africa until the showpiece match, presuming the South Africans win their own group.
Knockout Ramifications
If the groups play out in line with the current world rankings, other top favourites like New Zealand and France would also be kept apart from the likes of the English and Ireland all the way to the final.
In that scenario, Argentina would be the remaining highly-seeded nation on the same side of the knockout draw as those northern hemisphere teams.
Hosts Face Blockbuster Fixture
Hosts the Wallabies have been drawn together with their great rivals and triple champions the All Blacks in Pool A.
Australia will kick off the tournament in Perth on October 1st, 2027 in a marquee match designed to launch the competition.
In other groups, reigning champions South Africa have drawn Italy, the Lelos and the Oaks. France are grouped with Japan, 2031 hosts the USA and Samoa.
Larger Format for 2027
Argentina will face Fiji, Spain and Canada as the tournament expands to 24 teams from the twenty who competed in 2023.
This edition will introduce a round of 16 stage for the first time in the competition's existence.
Although the victor of Pool F may be kept apart from some of the game's biggest beasts early on, they will have to face the runner-up from Group B – most likely Italy – in the first knockout round.
A total of four of the remaining six pool winners will face a team that finished third 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
