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England and their Welsh counterparts find themselves placed in an identical pool for the World Cup in 2027, setting up a highly-anticipated early encounter in the tournament Down Under. Completing the group in Pool F by Tonga and the Zimbabwean Sables.

This draw recalls their memorable meeting in the group phase of the 2015 World Cup, where Wales' victory at Twickenham played a part in the hosts' surprise group stage elimination.

Key Group Pairings

The Irish and the Scots also share a group together, replicating the situation from the 2023 edition. On that occasion, Ireland claimed a convincing win, with Scotland failing to progress to the quarter-finals.

Uruguay and Portugal, who each impressed as surprise packages in the last World Cup, complete that Pool D.

Significantly, the victors of these two groups are kept apart from holders and world number one the Springboks until the showpiece match, presuming the South Africans top their own group.

Tournament Ramifications

Should the pools play out according to the current world rankings, other leading contenders like New Zealand and France would remain separated from the likes of England and the Irish until the final.

In that scenario, Argentina would be the remaining top-ranked nation on that side of the knockout draw as England and Ireland.

Tournament Hosts Face Blockbuster Fixture

Tournament hosts the Wallabies find themselves alongside their great rivals and three-time winners New Zealand in Pool A.

The Wallabies will open the World Cup in the city of Perth on 1 October 2027 in a marquee match designed to launch the event.

In other groups, reigning champions South Africa have been paired with Italy, Georgia and Romania. The French team are grouped with Japan, 2031 hosts the USA and Samoa.

Expanded Tournament for 2027

Argentina will face the Flying Fijians, Los Leones and the Canadian team as the World Cup expands to twenty-four nations from the 20 who took part in France.

This edition will introduce a last-16 round for the first time in the competition's existence.

While the victor of England and Wales's group may be kept apart from some of the game's biggest beasts initially, they will have to face the second-placed team from Group B – most likely Italy – in the last 16.

Four of the remaining six group winners will play a third-placed side from the pool stages.

Rugby World Cup 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