England and Wales drawn together for 2027 Rugby World Cup

England have been placed in the same pool as Wales as the draws for the upcoming 2027 Rugby World Cup was unveiled on Wednesday.

The two nations will compete in Pool F alongside Tonga and Zimbabwe under the tournament’s new six-pool, 24-team format.

England enter the World Cup as a top seed after an 11-match winning run in 2025. Their draw is regarded as favourable, with no pool-stage meeting against the southern hemisphere giants. If England top Pool F, they are not expected to meet another group topper until the semifinals.

The pairing with Wales immediately brings back memories of the 2015 World Cup, when Wales famously knocked England out in the pool stage.

Should England win their pool, they would likely avoid South Africa until the later knockout rounds. But they could set up a challenging quarter-final against hosts Australia, depending on how Pool A unfolds.

Ireland and Scotland have both been drawn into the same pool that also has Uruguay and Portugal. The Springboks, aiming for a historic third consecutive World Cup title, will also face Italy, Georgia and Romania in their pool fixtures.

France are grouped in Pool E alongside Japan, USA and Samoa while Argentina, Fiji, Spain and Canada comprise Pool C.

The 2027 World Cup is the first edition with 24 teams, meaning each side plays three pool matches, followed by a new Round of 16.

2027 Rugby World Cup Draws:

Pool A: New Zealand, Australia, Chile, Hong Kong China

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