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England together with Wales will face off in the same group for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, promising a highly-anticipated early clash in the tournament Down Under. They are joined in Group F by Tonga and the Zimbabwean Sables.

This pairing mirrors their infamous clash in the group phase of the 2015 World Cup, where a Welsh win at England's home ground played a part in the English team's surprise group stage elimination.

Other Notable Group Pairings

The Irish alongside Scotland have likewise been drawn in a group once again, just as the scenario from the 2023 edition. On that occasion, Ireland secured a convincing victory, with their opponents unable to progress to the knockout stages.

Los Teros and Os Lobos, who each made a strong impression as underdogs in France, round out that Pool D.

Significantly, the winners of these two groups are kept apart from defending champions and top-ranked South Africa before the showpiece match, assuming the Springboks win their assigned pool.

Tournament Implications

If the pools play out according to the current global standings, further leading contenders like New Zealand and Les Bleus would remain separated from the likes of England and the Irish until the championship decider.

In that scenario, Argentina would be the remaining top-ranked nation on the same side of the knockout draw as England and Ireland.

Hosts Draw Major Fixture

Tournament hosts the Wallabies have been drawn together with their trans-Tasman rivals and triple champions the All Blacks in Pool A.

Australia will kick off the tournament in Perth on 1 October 2027 in a marquee match aimed at launch the event.

Elsewhere, holders the Springboks have drawn the Azzurri, the Lelos and Romania. The French team are grouped with the Brave Blossoms, future hosts the United States and Samoa.

Expanded Format for 2027

Los Pumas will take on Fiji, Spain and Canada as the tournament expands to twenty-four nations from the 20 who took part in 2023.

The 2027 tournament will feature a round of 16 round for the first time in Rugby World Cup history.

While the victor of England and Wales's group may avoid some of the game's biggest beasts initially, they will meet the runner-up from Group B – probably the Italians – in the first knockout round.

A total of four of the other six group winners will face a third-placed side 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