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The English side and Wales will face off in an identical pool for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, promising a major pool stage clash in Australia. They are joined in Pool F by the Tongan Ikale Tahi and the Zimbabwean Sables.

This pairing recalls their memorable clash in the pool stages of the 2015 tournament, where Wales' victory at England's home ground played a part in the hosts' surprise group stage elimination.

Other Notable Pool Draws

The Irish and the Scots also share a pool once again, just as the scenario from the 2023 edition. On that occasion, they secured a convincing win, with their opponents failing to progress to the knockout stages.

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

Significantly, the winners of these two groups are kept apart from holders and top-ranked South Africa before the showpiece match, presuming the South Africans win their assigned pool.

Knockout Implications

If the groups play out in line with the current global standings, other leading contenders like the All Blacks and France would also be kept apart from both the English and Ireland until the championship decider.

In that scenario, Los Pumas would be the other highly-seeded nation on the same side of the elimination bracket as England and Ireland.

Hosts Face Major Opener

Tournament hosts the Wallabies find themselves together with their trans-Tasman rivals and triple champions the All Blacks in Group A.

The Wallabies will open the tournament in the city of Perth on October 1st, 2027 in a blockbuster match aimed at launch the competition.

Elsewhere, holders the Springboks have drawn the Azzurri, Georgia and Romania. France are grouped with Japan, future hosts the United States and Manu Samoa.

Larger Format for 2027

Argentina will take on the Flying Fijians, Los Leones and the Canadian team as the World Cup grows to 24 teams from the 20 who took part in 2023.

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

Although the winner of Pool F may be kept apart from some of the game's biggest beasts early on, they will have to face the second-placed team from Pool B – most likely Italy – in the last 16.

Four of the remaining six pool winners will face a third-placed side 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