The English and Welsh Placed Together for RWC 2027 in Australia

England together with their Welsh counterparts will face off in an identical group for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, promising a highly-anticipated early clash in Australia. They are joined in Group F by the Tongan Ikale Tahi and Zimbabwe.

This draw recalls their infamous clash in the pool stages of the 2015 World Cup, where Wales' victory at Twickenham contributed to the English team's surprise group stage elimination.

Other Notable Pool Draws

The Irish alongside Scotland also share a group once again, replicating the situation from the 2023 edition. On that occasion, Ireland claimed a convincing win, with Scotland failing to progress to the quarter-finals.

Uruguay and Os Lobos, who each impressed as underdogs in France, round out that Pool D.

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 win their assigned pool.

Knockout Ramifications

Should the pools conclude according to the current global standings, further leading contenders like New Zealand and Les Bleus would remain separated from both the English and Ireland all the way to the final.

Under those circumstances, Los Pumas would be the remaining highly-seeded nation on the same side of the elimination bracket as England and Ireland.

Hosts Face Major Opener

Tournament hosts the Wallabies find themselves together with their great rivals and triple champions the All Blacks in Pool A.

Australia will open the World Cup in the city of Perth on October 1st, 2027 in a blockbuster fixture aimed at jump-start the competition.

Elsewhere, holders South Africa have drawn Italy, Georgia and Romania. The French team are grouped with the Brave Blossoms, future hosts the United States and Samoa.

Larger Format for 2027

Argentina will face the Flying Fijians, Spain and Canada as the World Cup grows to twenty-four nations from the 20 who took part in France.

The 2027 tournament will feature a last-16 round for the first time in the competition's existence.

While the victor of England and Wales's group may avoid some of the game's biggest beasts early on, they will have to face the second-placed team from Group B – probably the Italians – in the first knockout round.

Four of the other six pool winners will play a third-placed side from the pool stages.

Rugby World Cup 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