England and Welsh Pitted in the Same Group for the 2027 World Cup in Australia

England and their Welsh counterparts have been drawn in an identical group for the World Cup in 2027, setting up a major pool stage clash in the tournament Down Under. They are joined in Group F by Tonga and the Zimbabwean Sables.

This pairing echoes their famous clash in the group phase of the 2015 tournament, where a Welsh win at England's home ground played a part in the hosts' shock early exit.

Key Pool Draws

Ireland alongside the Scots also share a group together, replicating the situation from the France 2023 tournament. In that tournament, Ireland secured a convincing victory, with their opponents failing to advance to the quarter-finals.

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

Notably, the winners of these two groups cannot meet defending champions and top-ranked the Springboks before the showpiece match, presuming the South Africans win their own group.

Tournament Implications

If the groups conclude in line with the current global standings, other top favourites like the All Blacks and France would also be kept apart from both England and the Irish all the way to the final.

In that scenario, Argentina would be the remaining highly-seeded nation on that side of the knockout draw as England and Ireland.

Tournament Hosts Face Major Opener

Tournament hosts Australia have been drawn together with their great rivals and triple champions the All Blacks in Pool A.

The Wallabies will open the tournament in Perth on 1 October 2027 in a marquee fixture aimed at jump-start the event.

In other groups, holders South Africa have been paired with Italy, Georgia and the Oaks. France are grouped with the Brave Blossoms, 2031 hosts the United States and Samoa.

Expanded Format for 2027

Argentina will face the Flying Fijians, Spain and Canada as the World Cup grows to 24 teams from the 20 who took part in 2023.

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

Although the winner of Pool F may avoid some of the game's biggest beasts early on, they will meet the runner-up from Group B – most likely the Italians – in the last 16.

A total of four of the other six group winners will play a team that finished third from the pool stages.

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