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England and their Welsh counterparts will face off in the same group for the World Cup in 2027, setting up a highly-anticipated early encounter in Australia. They are joined in Pool F by the Tongan Ikale Tahi and the Zimbabwean Sables.

This pairing recalls their infamous clash in the pool stages of the 2015 tournament, where a Welsh win at England's home ground contributed to the English team's surprise group stage elimination.

Key Group Draws

Ireland and the Scots have likewise been drawn in a pool once again, replicating the scenario from the 2023 edition. In that tournament, Ireland secured a convincing win, with Scotland failing to advance to the knockout stages.

Los Teros and Os Lobos, both made a strong impression as underdogs in France, round out that same group.

Notably, the victors of both Pool D and Pool F cannot meet defending champions and top-ranked the Springboks 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 also be kept apart from the likes of England and Ireland until the championship decider.

Under those circumstances, Los Pumas would be the other top-ranked nation on the same half of the knockout draw as those northern hemisphere teams.

Hosts Face Major Opener

Hosts the Wallabies find themselves together with their great rivals and three-time winners the All Blacks in Group A.

The Wallabies will kick off the World Cup in the city of Perth on October 1st, 2027 in a marquee fixture designed to launch the competition.

Elsewhere, holders South Africa have drawn Italy, the Lelos and the Oaks. The French team are grouped with Japan, future hosts the USA and Samoa.

Larger Tournament for 2027

Los Pumas will take on Fiji, Los Leones and the Canadian team as the World Cup expands to 24 teams from the twenty who competed in 2023.

The 2027 tournament will feature a round of 16 stage for the very first time in the competition's existence.

While the victor of Pool F 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 last 16.

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

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