The English side together with their Welsh counterparts find themselves placed in the same pool for the World Cup in 2027, promising a major early encounter in Australia. They are joined in Group F by the Tongan Ikale Tahi and the Zimbabwean Sables.
This draw recalls their infamous meeting in the group phase of the 2015 World Cup, where Wales' victory at England's home ground contributed to the English team's surprise group stage elimination.
Other Notable Pool Pairings
Ireland and Scotland also share a group together, replicating the situation from the 2023 edition. In that tournament, they claimed a convincing win, with Scotland unable to advance to the quarter-finals.
Uruguay and Portugal, who each impressed as underdogs in France, complete that Pool D.
Notably, the victors of both Pool D and Pool F cannot meet holders and top-ranked South Africa until the showpiece match, assuming the South Africans top their assigned pool.
Knockout Ramifications
If the groups conclude in line with the current world rankings, other leading contenders like New Zealand and Les Bleus would also be kept apart from the likes of the English and Ireland until the championship decider.
In that scenario, Los Pumas would be the remaining highly-seeded nation on the same side of the knockout draw as England and Ireland.
Hosts Face Major Opener
Hosts the Wallabies have been drawn together with their great rivals and triple champions the All Blacks in Group A.
The Wallabies will open the World Cup in the city of Perth on October 1st, 2027 in a marquee match aimed at jump-start the competition.
In other groups, holders South Africa have been paired with Italy, Georgia and Romania. The French team are grouped with the Brave Blossoms, 2031 hosts the USA and Manu Samoa.
Expanded Tournament for 2027
Los Pumas will face the Flying Fijians, Spain and the Canadian team as the World Cup grows to twenty-four nations from the 20 who took part in France.
This edition will feature a last-16 stage for the very first time in the competition's existence.
While the victor of Pool F may avoid some of the rugby's heavyweights initially, they will meet the runner-up from Group B – probably Italy – in the first knockout round.
Four of the other six group winners will face a team that finished third 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
