The English side and their Welsh counterparts will face off in the same pool for the World Cup in 2027, promising a major early clash in the tournament Down Under. Completing the group in Pool F by Tonga and Zimbabwe.
This draw recalls their famous clash in the pool stages of the 2015 World Cup, where a Welsh win at England's home ground played a part in the English team's shock early exit.
Key Pool Draws
The Irish and the Scots have likewise been drawn in a pool once again, replicating the scenario from the 2023 edition. On that occasion, Ireland claimed a convincing victory, with Scotland unable to progress to the quarter-finals.
Los Teros and Os Lobos, who each made a strong impression as surprise packages in the last World Cup, complete that Pool D.
Significantly, the winners of both Pool D and Pool F cannot meet holders and top-ranked South Africa until the showpiece match, presuming the Springboks top their assigned pool.
Tournament Implications
Should the pools play out in line with the current global standings, other top favourites like New Zealand and France would also be kept apart from both the English and Ireland all the way to the final.
In that scenario, Los Pumas would be the other top-ranked nation on that half of the elimination bracket as England and Ireland.
Tournament Hosts Face Major Fixture
Tournament hosts Australia find themselves together with their trans-Tasman rivals and three-time winners New Zealand in Group A.
Australia will kick off the tournament in the city of Perth on October 1st, 2027 in a marquee match designed to jump-start the event.
In other groups, reigning champions South Africa have drawn Italy, the Lelos and Romania. France are in a pool with the Brave Blossoms, future hosts the USA and Samoa.
Expanded Tournament for 2027
Argentina 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 round for the first time in Rugby World Cup history.
Although the victor of Pool F may avoid some of the game's heavyweights 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 group winners will play a team that finished third from the pool stages.
RWC 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
