The English side together with Wales have been drawn 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 Pool F by the Tongan Ikale Tahi and Zimbabwe.
This pairing echoes their memorable meeting in the pool stages of the 2015 World Cup, where Wales' victory at England's home ground contributed to the English team's shock early exit.
Key Pool Draws
The Irish alongside Scotland have likewise been drawn in a group together, just as the scenario from the France 2023 tournament. On that occasion, Ireland claimed a convincing victory, with Scotland unable to progress to the knockout stages.
Los Teros and Portugal, both made a strong impression as surprise packages in France, round out that Pool D.
Notably, the victors of these two groups cannot meet holders and top-ranked the Springboks until the showpiece match, assuming the Springboks win their own group.
Tournament Implications
Should the groups conclude according to the current global standings, further leading contenders like New Zealand and France would remain separated from the likes of the English and Ireland all the way to the final.
Under those circumstances, Argentina would be the other highly-seeded nation on that side of the knockout draw as England and Ireland.
Hosts Draw Major Opener
Tournament hosts Australia find themselves together with their trans-Tasman rivals and three-time winners New Zealand in Pool A.
The Wallabies will kick off the World Cup in the city of Perth on October 1st, 2027 in a blockbuster match aimed at jump-start the competition.
In other groups, holders South Africa have drawn Italy, the Lelos and Romania. The French team are in a pool with the Brave Blossoms, future hosts the United States and Manu Samoa.
Larger Format for 2027
Argentina will face Fiji, Spain and the Canadian team as the World Cup expands to 24 teams from the 20 who competed in 2023.
This edition will feature a last-16 round for the first time in the competition's existence.
While the winner of Pool F may avoid some of the game's heavyweights early on, they will meet the runner-up from Group B – probably Italy – in the last 16.
A total of four of the remaining six pool winners will face a third-placed side 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
