The English side and Wales find themselves placed in an identical pool for the World Cup in 2027, promising a highly-anticipated early clash in the tournament Down Under. They are joined in Group F by the Tongan Ikale Tahi and Zimbabwe.
This draw echoes their infamous clash in the group phase of the 2015 tournament, where Wales' victory at England's home ground played a part in the hosts' shock early exit.
Key Group Draws
Ireland and the Scots have likewise been drawn in a pool once again, just as the scenario from the 2023 edition. On that occasion, they secured a convincing win, with Scotland failing to advance to the quarter-finals.
Los Teros and Portugal, who each impressed as underdogs in France, complete that same group.
Notably, the victors of both Pool D and Pool F cannot meet holders and world number one the Springboks until the final, assuming the Springboks win their assigned pool.
Tournament Ramifications
Should the pools play out in line with the current global standings, other leading contenders like New Zealand and France would also be kept apart from the likes of the English and the Irish until the championship decider.
In that scenario, Los Pumas would be the remaining highly-seeded nation on that half of the knockout draw as England and Ireland.
Tournament Hosts Draw Blockbuster Opener
Tournament hosts Australia have been drawn alongside their trans-Tasman rivals and triple champions New Zealand in Pool A.
Australia will open the tournament in the city of Perth on October 1st, 2027 in a marquee match designed to jump-start the event.
Elsewhere, holders South Africa have been paired with Italy, Georgia and the Oaks. The French team are in a pool with the Brave Blossoms, 2031 hosts the United States and Manu Samoa.
Larger Format for 2027
Argentina will face the Flying Fijians, Spain and the Canadian team as the tournament expands to 24 teams from the 20 who competed 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 game's biggest beasts initially, they will have to face the runner-up from Group B – probably the Italians – in the last 16.
Four of the other six group winners will play a third-placed side from the initial group phase.
RWC 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
