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The English side and Wales have been drawn in the same group for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, setting up a highly-anticipated early clash in the tournament Down Under. Completing the group in Group F by Tonga and Zimbabwe.

This pairing echoes their famous clash in the pool stages of the 2015 World Cup, where Wales' victory at Twickenham played a part in the English team's shock group stage elimination.

Other Notable Group Pairings

Ireland alongside Scotland have likewise been drawn in a group once again, replicating the scenario from the 2023 edition. On that occasion, Ireland secured a convincing victory, with Scotland unable to advance to the knockout stages.

Los Teros and Portugal, both made a strong impression as underdogs in France, complete that Pool D.

Significantly, the victors of these two groups are kept apart from defending champions and world number one South Africa before the final, presuming the South Africans win their own group.

Knockout Implications

If the groups conclude according to the current world rankings, other top favourites like New Zealand and Les Bleus would remain separated from the likes of the English and Ireland until the final.

In that scenario, Argentina would be the other top-ranked nation on that side of the knockout draw as those northern hemisphere teams.

Tournament Hosts Face Major Opener

Hosts the Wallabies have been drawn together with their great rivals and three-time winners the All Blacks in Group A.

The Wallabies will open the World Cup in the city of Perth on October 1st, 2027 in a blockbuster match aimed at jump-start the event.

Elsewhere, reigning champions the Springboks have drawn Italy, the Lelos and Romania. The French team are grouped with Japan, 2031 hosts the United States and Samoa.

Expanded Tournament for 2027

Argentina will take on Fiji, Spain and the Canadian team as the tournament expands to twenty-four nations from the twenty who took part in France.

This edition will introduce a last-16 stage for the first time in Rugby World Cup history.

While the victor of England and Wales's group may be kept apart from some of the rugby's biggest beasts early on, they will meet the second-placed team from Pool B – probably Italy – in the first knockout round.

A total of four of the other six group winners will face a third-placed side from the pool stages.

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