The English along with Welsh Placed Together for 2027 Rugby World Cup Down Under

The English side together with Wales have been drawn in an identical pool for the World Cup in 2027, promising a highly-anticipated pool stage clash in Australia. They are joined in Pool F by Tonga and Zimbabwe.

This draw echoes their memorable clash in the group phase of the 2015 tournament, where Wales' victory at Twickenham played a part in the hosts' shock group stage elimination.

Key Group Pairings

Ireland and Scotland have likewise been drawn in a group once again, just as the situation from the 2023 edition. On that occasion, they claimed a convincing win, with their opponents unable to advance to the knockout stages.

Los Teros and Os Lobos, who each impressed as surprise packages in France, round out that same group.

Significantly, the winners of both Pool D and Pool F are kept apart from holders and world number one South Africa until the showpiece match, assuming the South Africans win their own group.

Knockout Ramifications

If the groups conclude in line with the current world rankings, further leading contenders like the All Blacks and Les Bleus would also be kept apart from the likes of the English and the Irish until the championship decider.

Under those circumstances, Los Pumas would be the other top-ranked nation on that side of the knockout draw as England and Ireland.

Tournament Hosts Face Major Opener

Tournament hosts the Wallabies find themselves together with their trans-Tasman rivals and triple champions New Zealand in Group A.

Australia will open the tournament in the city of Perth on 1 October 2027 in a blockbuster match designed to launch the competition.

In other groups, reigning champions the Springboks have been paired with the Azzurri, Georgia and the Oaks. France are in a pool with the Brave Blossoms, future hosts the United States and Manu Samoa.

Expanded Format for 2027

Argentina will take on Fiji, Los Leones and Canada as the World Cup grows to twenty-four nations from the twenty who took part in France.

This edition will introduce a last-16 stage for the first time in Rugby World Cup existence.

While the winner of England and Wales's group may be kept apart from some of the game's heavyweights initially, they will have to face the second-placed team from Group B – most likely Italy – in the last 16.

Four of the other six pool winners will face a third-placed side from the initial group phase.

RWC 2027 Draw

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