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The English side together with Wales will face off in an identical group for the 2027 RWC, setting up a highly-anticipated early encounter in Australia. They are joined in Pool F by Tonga and the Zimbabwean Sables.

This pairing echoes their infamous meeting in the group phase of the 2015 World Cup, where a Welsh win at Twickenham contributed to the hosts' shock early exit.

Other Notable Group Draws

Ireland alongside the Scots also share a pool together, replicating the scenario from the France 2023 tournament. On that occasion, Ireland claimed a 36-14 victory, with their opponents unable to progress to the knockout stages.

Uruguay and Portugal, both impressed as underdogs in France, round out that same group.

Significantly, the victors of these two groups are kept apart from holders and world number one the Springboks until the showpiece match, assuming the South Africans win their assigned pool.

Knockout Ramifications

If the pools conclude according to the current world rankings, other leading contenders like the All Blacks and France would remain separated from both the English and Ireland until the final.

Under those circumstances, Argentina would be the other top-ranked nation on that side of the elimination bracket as those northern hemisphere teams.

Tournament Hosts Face Blockbuster Fixture

Hosts Australia find themselves alongside their trans-Tasman rivals and three-time winners the All Blacks in Pool A.

The Wallabies will kick off the World Cup in the city of Perth on 1 October 2027 in a marquee fixture designed to jump-start the competition.

In other groups, holders South Africa have been paired with Italy, Georgia and Romania. The French team are grouped with Japan, future hosts the United States and Samoa.

Expanded Tournament for 2027

Los Pumas will face Fiji, Los Leones and the Canadian team as the World Cup expands to 24 teams from the 20 who competed in France.

This edition will feature a round of 16 round for the very first time in the competition's history.

While the winner of Pool F may be kept apart from some of the game's heavyweights early on, they will meet the second-placed team from Group B – probably the Italians – in the last 16.

Four of the other six group winners will face 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