🔗 Share this article

The English side together with Wales have been drawn in the same group for the World Cup in 2027, promising a major early encounter in the tournament Down Under. They are joined in Group F by Tonga and the Zimbabwean Sables.

This pairing recalls their famous clash in the group phase of the 2015 World Cup, where a Welsh win at England's home ground contributed to the hosts' shock early exit.

Key Group Draws

The Irish and the Scots have likewise been drawn in a pool once again, replicating the situation from the France 2023 tournament. In that tournament, Ireland secured a 36-14 win, with Scotland failing to advance to the quarter-finals.

Uruguay and Portugal, both made a strong impression as surprise packages in the last World Cup, round out that same group.

Significantly, the victors of both Pool D and Pool F are kept apart from defending champions and world number one the Springboks before the final, presuming the Springboks top their assigned pool.

Knockout Implications

Should the pools conclude in line with the current global standings, other top favourites like New Zealand and France would remain separated from both the English and Ireland until the championship decider.

Under those circumstances, Los Pumas would be the other top-ranked nation on that side of the knockout draw as England and Ireland.

Tournament Hosts Face Major Fixture

Tournament hosts the Wallabies have been drawn together with their great rivals and three-time winners New Zealand in Pool A.

The Wallabies will open the tournament in the city of Perth on October 1st, 2027 in a blockbuster fixture aimed at jump-start the event.

Elsewhere, reigning champions South Africa have drawn the Azzurri, the Lelos and the Oaks. France are in a pool with Japan, future hosts the USA and Manu Samoa.

Larger Format for 2027

Los Pumas will face Fiji, Spain and Canada as the World Cup expands to twenty-four nations from the 20 who competed in 2023.

This edition will feature a last-16 stage for the first time in Rugby World Cup history.

Although the winner of England and Wales's group may be kept apart from some of the game's biggest beasts early on, they will meet the runner-up from Pool B – probably Italy – in the first knockout round.

A total of four of the remaining six pool winners will face a team that finished third from the pool stages.

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