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England and their Welsh counterparts have been drawn in the same pool for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, promising a highly-anticipated early clash in Australia. They are joined in Pool F by Tonga and Zimbabwe.

This pairing echoes their memorable meeting in the pool stages of the 2015 World Cup, where Wales' victory at England's home ground contributed to the hosts' shock early exit.

Other Notable Pool Draws

The Irish alongside the Scots also share a pool together, just as the situation from the 2023 edition. In that tournament, they claimed a 36-14 win, with their opponents failing to progress to the knockout stages.

Los Teros and Portugal, both impressed as surprise packages in France, complete that same group.

Significantly, the winners of these two groups are kept apart from defending champions and world number one the Springboks before the final, assuming the Springboks win their assigned pool.

Tournament Implications

If the pools play out according to the current world rankings, further leading contenders like the All Blacks and France would remain separated from the likes of England and the Irish all the way to the championship decider.

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

Hosts Draw Blockbuster Opener

Tournament hosts Australia have been drawn together with their trans-Tasman rivals and three-time winners New Zealand in Group A.

The Wallabies will open the tournament in Perth on 1 October 2027 in a blockbuster match aimed at launch the event.

Elsewhere, reigning champions South Africa have drawn the Azzurri, Georgia and the Oaks. France are in a pool with Japan, future hosts the United States and Manu Samoa.

Expanded Format for 2027

Los Pumas will face Fiji, Los Leones and the Canadian team as the tournament grows to 24 teams from the 20 who took part in France.

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

Although the winner of Pool F may avoid some of the game's biggest beasts early on, they will have to face the runner-up from Group B – most likely Italy – in the first knockout round.

Four of the other six pool winners will face a team that finished third from the initial group phase.

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