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The English side together with their Welsh counterparts have been drawn in an identical group for the World Cup in 2027, setting up a highly-anticipated early clash in Australia. Completing the group in Group F by the Tongan Ikale Tahi and the Zimbabwean Sables.

This pairing mirrors their famous clash in the group phase of the 2015 tournament, where a Welsh win at England's home ground played a part in the hosts' surprise early exit.

Key Pool Pairings

Ireland and the Scots also share a pool together, replicating the scenario from the France 2023 tournament. In that tournament, they secured a convincing win, with Scotland failing to advance to the knockout stages.

Los Teros and Os Lobos, who each made a strong impression as surprise packages in France, round out that same group.

Significantly, the victors of both Pool D and Pool F cannot meet holders and top-ranked the Springboks before the showpiece match, presuming the Springboks win their own group.

Knockout Ramifications

Should the groups conclude in line with the current global standings, other leading contenders like New Zealand and France would remain separated from the likes of England and the Irish until the championship decider.

Under those circumstances, Los Pumas would be the other highly-seeded nation on that half of the elimination bracket as England and Ireland.

Hosts Draw Blockbuster Opener

Tournament hosts Australia find themselves alongside their trans-Tasman rivals and triple champions the All Blacks in Group A.

Australia will kick off the tournament in the city of Perth on October 1st, 2027 in a marquee match designed to launch the event.

Elsewhere, holders South Africa have been paired with Italy, the Lelos and the Oaks. France are grouped with the Brave Blossoms, 2031 hosts the United States and Manu Samoa.

Expanded Format for 2027

Los Pumas will take on Fiji, Spain and the Canadian team as the tournament expands to 24 teams from the 20 who took part in 2023.

This edition will feature a round of 16 stage for the very first time in Rugby World Cup existence.

While the winner of Pool F may avoid some of the game's biggest beasts initially, they will have to face the runner-up from Pool B – probably the Italians – in the last 16.

A total of four of the other six pool 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