England and Welsh Pitted in the Same Group for RWC 2027 Down Under

The English side together with Wales find themselves placed in the same pool for the 2027 RWC, promising a major early encounter in Australia. Completing the group in Pool F by Tonga and the Zimbabwean Sables.

This pairing recalls their memorable meeting in the group phase of the 2015 tournament, where a Welsh win at England's home ground contributed to the English team's surprise group stage elimination.

Other Notable Pool Draws

The Irish and the Scots also share a pool together, just as the situation from the 2023 edition. On that occasion, Ireland claimed a convincing victory, with Scotland unable to advance to the quarter-finals.

Uruguay and Portugal, who each made a strong impression as surprise packages in France, complete that Pool D.

Notably, the winners of both Pool D and Pool F are kept apart from holders and world number one the Springboks before the final, presuming the South Africans win their assigned pool.

Knockout Ramifications

If the pools play out in line with the current world rankings, further top favourites like the All Blacks and France would also be kept apart from the likes of the English and Ireland all the way to the final.

In that scenario, Los Pumas would be the remaining highly-seeded nation on the same half of the knockout draw as those northern hemisphere teams.

Tournament Hosts Draw Blockbuster Opener

Hosts Australia have been drawn alongside their great rivals and three-time winners New Zealand in Pool A.

The Wallabies will open the World Cup in the city of Perth on October 1st, 2027 in a marquee match designed to jump-start the competition.

Elsewhere, reigning champions the Springboks have been paired with Italy, Georgia and Romania. The French team are grouped with Japan, 2031 hosts the United States and Manu Samoa.

Larger Tournament for 2027

Los Pumas will take on Fiji, Los Leones and the Canadian team as the World Cup grows to twenty-four nations from the twenty who took part in 2023.

This edition will feature a round of 16 round for the very first time in the competition's history.

While the winner of England and Wales's group may be kept apart from some of the rugby's biggest beasts early on, they will have to face the runner-up from Group B – probably Italy – in the last 16.

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

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