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

The English side and Wales find themselves placed in an identical group for the World Cup in 2027, promising a major early clash in the tournament Down Under. Completing the group in Pool F by Tonga and Zimbabwe.

This draw mirrors their memorable clash in the pool stages of the 2015 World Cup, where Wales' victory at Twickenham contributed to the English team's shock early exit.

Key Group Pairings

The Irish alongside the Scots have likewise been drawn in a pool together, just as the scenario from the France 2023 tournament. On that occasion, Ireland claimed a convincing victory, with their opponents unable to advance to the quarter-finals.

Los Teros and Portugal, who each impressed as underdogs in the last World Cup, complete that same group.

Notably, the victors of these two groups cannot meet defending champions and top-ranked South Africa before the showpiece match, assuming the South Africans top their assigned pool.

Knockout Ramifications

If the groups conclude according to the current global standings, other top favourites like New Zealand and France would remain separated from both the English and the Irish until the final.

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

Tournament Hosts Face Major Fixture

Tournament hosts Australia find themselves together with their great rivals and three-time winners New Zealand in Pool A.

Australia will open the World Cup in Perth on October 1st, 2027 in a blockbuster fixture designed to launch the event.

Elsewhere, holders the Springboks have drawn the Azzurri, the Lelos and Romania. The French team are in a pool with Japan, future hosts the United States and Samoa.

Larger Format for 2027

Los Pumas will take on the Flying Fijians, Spain and the Canadian team as the World Cup grows to 24 teams from the twenty who competed in 2023.

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

While the winner of Pool F 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 the Italians – in the first knockout round.

Four of the other six pool winners will face a team that finished third 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