England together with their Welsh counterparts have been drawn in an identical group for the World Cup in 2027, promising a highly-anticipated pool stage encounter in Australia. They are joined in Group F by Tonga and Zimbabwe.
This draw recalls their memorable clash in the pool stages of the 2015 World Cup, where Wales' victory at England's home ground played a part in the English team's surprise group stage elimination.
Key Group Draws
Ireland alongside Scotland have likewise been drawn in a pool together, replicating the scenario from the 2023 edition. In that tournament, Ireland claimed a convincing win, with Scotland unable to advance to the knockout stages.
Los Teros and Portugal, both made a strong impression as surprise packages in France, complete that Pool D.
Notably, the victors of these two groups are kept apart from defending champions and world number one the Springboks before the showpiece match, assuming the South Africans win their own group.
Tournament Ramifications
If the groups conclude in line with the current world rankings, further leading contenders like New Zealand and Les Bleus would remain separated from the likes of England and Ireland all the way to the final.
Under those circumstances, Los Pumas would be the remaining highly-seeded nation on the same half of the knockout draw as those northern hemisphere teams.
Hosts Face Major Fixture
Hosts Australia find themselves together with their trans-Tasman rivals and triple champions New Zealand in Pool A.
Australia will kick off the tournament in the city of Perth on October 1st, 2027 in a marquee match designed to jump-start the event.
Elsewhere, reigning champions South Africa have been paired with Italy, Georgia and the Oaks. France are in a pool with the Brave Blossoms, future hosts the USA and Samoa.
Larger Format for 2027
Los Pumas will take on the Flying Fijians, Spain and the Canadian team as the tournament expands to twenty-four nations from the twenty who took part in 2023.
The 2027 tournament will introduce a round of 16 round for the first time in Rugby World Cup existence.
While the victor of Pool F may avoid some of the game's biggest beasts early on, they will meet the runner-up from Group B – probably Italy – in the first knockout round.
A total of four of the other six pool 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
