England and their Welsh counterparts will face off in an identical group for the 2027 RWC, promising a major early clash in the tournament Down Under. They are joined in Group F by Tonga and the Zimbabwean Sables.
This draw echoes their infamous clash in the group phase of the 2015 World Cup, where a Welsh win at Twickenham contributed to the English team's surprise group stage elimination.
Ireland and the Scots have likewise been drawn in a group once again, replicating the scenario from the 2023 edition. On that occasion, they secured a convincing victory, with their opponents failing to advance to the quarter-finals.
Los Teros and Os Lobos, who each made a strong impression as underdogs in the last World Cup, round out that same group.
Notably, the victors of both Pool D and Pool F cannot meet holders and top-ranked South Africa until the showpiece match, presuming the Springboks top their own group.
Should the groups conclude according to the current world rankings, other leading contenders like the All Blacks and Les Bleus would remain separated from both England and Ireland all the way to the championship decider.
Under those circumstances, Argentina would be the other top-ranked nation on that half of the knockout draw as those northern hemisphere teams.
Hosts Australia find themselves alongside their trans-Tasman rivals and triple champions the All Blacks in Pool A.
Australia will kick off the World Cup in Perth on October 1st, 2027 in a marquee fixture designed to jump-start the competition.
Elsewhere, reigning champions South Africa have drawn Italy, the Lelos and Romania. The French team are grouped with Japan, 2031 hosts the USA and Manu Samoa.
Los Pumas will face the Flying Fijians, Los Leones and the Canadian team as the tournament expands to 24 teams from the 20 who took part in France.
This edition will introduce a round of 16 round for the first time in the competition's existence.
Although the winner of England and Wales's group may be kept apart from some of the game's heavyweights initially, they will meet the runner-up from Pool B – most likely Italy – in the first knockout round.
Four of the remaining six group winners will play a third-placed side from the initial group phase.
Pool A
Pool B
Pool C
Pool D
Pool E
Pool F
Eva de Vries is a passionate book lover and local writer from Eindhoven.
