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England together with Wales find themselves placed in an identical group for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, setting up a major early clash in the tournament Down Under. Completing the group in Group F by the Tongan Ikale Tahi and the Zimbabwean Sables.

This pairing echoes their infamous meeting in the group phase of the 2015 World Cup, where a Welsh win at England's home ground played a part in the English team's surprise group stage elimination.

Other Notable Pool Pairings

Ireland alongside the Scots have likewise been drawn in a pool once again, replicating the scenario from the 2023 edition. On that occasion, they secured a convincing win, with Scotland failing to advance to the knockout stages.

Los Teros and Os Lobos, who each made a strong impression as surprise packages in the last World Cup, round out that same group.

Notably, the victors of these two groups are kept apart from holders and world number one the Springboks before the showpiece match, assuming the South Africans top their assigned pool.

Tournament Implications

Should the pools play out in line with the current global standings, further leading contenders like New Zealand and Les Bleus would also be kept apart from the likes of England and the Irish all the way to the championship decider.

Under those circumstances, Argentina would be the other highly-seeded nation on the same half of the elimination bracket as England and Ireland.

Hosts Face Blockbuster Opener

Hosts the Wallabies find themselves alongside their trans-Tasman rivals and three-time winners New Zealand in Pool A.

Australia will open the World Cup in the city of Perth on October 1st, 2027 in a marquee match aimed at launch the competition.

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

Expanded Tournament for 2027

Argentina will take on Fiji, Los Leones and Canada as the tournament grows to 24 teams from the 20 who took part in France.

This edition will feature a round of 16 stage for the first time in the competition's existence.

Although the winner of Pool F may be kept apart from some of the rugby's heavyweights initially, they will meet the second-placed team from Pool B – probably the Italians – in the first knockout round.

Four of the other six pool winners will face a third-placed side from the initial group phase.

Rugby World Cup 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