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The English side together with Wales have been drawn in an identical group for the World Cup in 2027, promising a highly-anticipated pool stage clash in Australia. They are joined in Pool F by Tonga and the Zimbabwean Sables.

This pairing echoes their famous meeting in the group phase of the 2015 tournament, where Wales' victory at England's home ground contributed to the hosts' surprise group stage elimination.

Key Pool Pairings

The Irish and Scotland have likewise been drawn in a group once again, replicating the situation from the 2023 edition. In that tournament, they secured a 36-14 victory, with Scotland unable to advance to the knockout stages.

Los Teros and Os Lobos, who each made a strong impression as surprise packages in France, complete that Pool D.

Notably, the victors of both Pool D and Pool F cannot meet holders and world number one the Springboks before the final, presuming the Springboks win their own group.

Tournament Ramifications

Should the pools play out according to the current global standings, further top favourites like the All Blacks and France would remain separated from both England and Ireland until the final.

In that scenario, Argentina would be the remaining top-ranked nation on that half of the elimination bracket as those northern hemisphere teams.

Tournament Hosts Draw Blockbuster Opener

Tournament hosts Australia find themselves alongside their great rivals and triple champions New Zealand in Group A.

The Wallabies will open the World Cup in Perth on 1 October 2027 in a blockbuster fixture designed to launch the event.

In other groups, holders South Africa have drawn Italy, the Lelos and the Oaks. The French team are in a pool with Japan, 2031 hosts the United States and Manu Samoa.

Larger Tournament for 2027

Los Pumas will take on the Flying Fijians, Los Leones and Canada as the tournament expands to 24 teams from the twenty who competed in France.

This edition will feature a last-16 stage for the first time in the competition's history.

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 Italy – in the first knockout round.

A total of four of the remaining six group winners will play a team that finished third 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