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England together with their Welsh counterparts will face off in the same group for the World Cup in 2027, setting up a highly-anticipated early clash in the tournament Down Under. They are joined in Pool F by the Tongan Ikale Tahi and Zimbabwe.

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

Other Notable Group Pairings

The Irish alongside the Scots have likewise been drawn in a group together, just as the situation from the France 2023 tournament. On that occasion, they secured a convincing victory, with Scotland failing to advance to the quarter-finals.

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

Significantly, the winners of both Pool D and Pool F are kept apart from defending champions and top-ranked South Africa before the showpiece match, assuming the Springboks top their assigned pool.

Tournament Implications

If the groups conclude according to the current global standings, other top favourites like the All Blacks and France would also be kept apart from the likes of the English and the Irish until the championship decider.

In that scenario, Argentina would be the other highly-seeded nation on the same side of the elimination bracket as those northern hemisphere teams.

Tournament Hosts Face Blockbuster Opener

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

The Wallabies will open the World Cup in Perth on October 1st, 2027 in a blockbuster match designed to launch the competition.

Elsewhere, holders the Springboks have been paired with Italy, the Lelos and Romania. France are in a pool with the Brave Blossoms, future hosts the United States and Samoa.

Larger Format for 2027

Argentina will take on Fiji, Los Leones and the Canadian team as the tournament grows to 24 teams from the twenty who competed in France.

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

Although the winner of Pool F may be kept apart from some of the rugby's heavyweights initially, they will have to face the runner-up from Pool B – probably the Italians – in the first knockout round.

Four of the other six pool 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