England have been handed a high-stakes showdown with Wales in the pool phase of the 2027 Rugby World Cup after a draw that produced several heavyweight early contests, including Ireland and Scotland landing in the same group and hosts Australia set to meet New Zealand.
The tournament, which will be staged across Australia, now promises an intense opening round with traditional rivalries and blockbuster clashes embedded from the outset.
England and Wales will contest Group F alongside Tonga and Zimbabwe.
The fixture between England and Wales will inevitably dominate the early narrative, given the pair’s long-standing rivalry, but Tonga’s physicality and Zimbabwe’s first World Cup appearance since qualifying expansion could add further complexity.
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Ireland and Scotland, meanwhile, have been paired together in Group D, renewing a familiar World Cup storyline after sharing pools in both 2019 and 2023.
They will be joined by Uruguay and Portugal, two sides whose improvements over recent cycles ensure the group carries more jeopardy than the headline names alone suggest.
Ireland, still chasing their first semi-final, will face immediate pressure, while Scotland will view the draw as both challenging and an opportunity.
England famously lost to Wales at the 2015 Rugby World Cup
|PA
The hosts have not been spared.
Australia will meet their trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand in Group A, a fixture with the weight of Bledisloe Cup history behind it, and one that guarantees an early blockbuster.
Chile and Hong Kong China complete the pool, offering contrasting styles and, in Chile’s case, a continuation of their rapid rise after qualifying for the 2023 edition.
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South Africa broke English hearts with victory in the semi-finals of the Rugby World Cup back in 2023
| GETTYDefending champions South Africa have been placed in Group B, where they will face Italy, Georgia and Romania.
The Springboks will be heavy favourites to advance, but Italy’s recent progress and Georgia’s forward-dominant approach could pose logistical and physical challenges before the knockout rounds.
Pool C consists of Canada, Spain, Fiji and Argentina.
England last won the Rugby World Cup back in 2003
|PA
And, in Pool E, Samo, USA, Japan and France will all do battle.
England's clash with Wales, however, promises fireworks.
Arguably their most notorious exit from the competition in history came back in 2015, when England were the host nation.
They were were leading late in their Pool A clash at Twickenham, but Wales mounted a dramatic comeback despite suffering multiple injuries and finishing the game with several players out of position.
With England 25–18 ahead, Wales struck through a brilliant late try from Gareth Davies, converted by Dan Biggar, to take a 28–25 lead.
England then won a penalty near the touchline and controversially chose to kick for the corner rather than take the simple three points for a draw. After losing to Australia the following week, they were eliminated - marking the earliest exit for any tournament host nation.