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

England and Wales will face off in an identical pool for the World Cup in 2027, promising a highly-anticipated pool stage encounter in the tournament Down Under. Completing the group in Group F by the Tongan Ikale Tahi and Zimbabwe.

This pairing recalls their infamous clash in the pool stages of the 2015 tournament, where Wales' victory at England's home ground played a part in the English team's surprise early exit.

Key Pool Draws

Ireland and Scotland also share a pool together, replicating the scenario from the 2023 edition. In that tournament, they claimed a convincing win, with their opponents unable to advance to the quarter-finals.

Uruguay and Portugal, both made a strong impression as underdogs in the last World Cup, round out that same group.

Significantly, the victors of both Pool D and Pool F are kept apart from defending champions and world number one the Springboks until the showpiece match, presuming the Springboks top their own group.

Tournament Ramifications

If the pools play out according to the current global standings, further top favourites like the All Blacks and France would remain separated from the likes of England and the Irish until the final.

Under those circumstances, Los Pumas would be the remaining top-ranked nation on that half of the elimination bracket as those northern hemisphere teams.

Tournament Hosts Draw Major Fixture

Tournament hosts Australia have been drawn together with their great rivals and three-time winners New Zealand in Pool A.

The Wallabies will kick off the tournament in the city of Perth on 1 October 2027 in a marquee fixture designed to launch the event.

In other groups, reigning champions South Africa have been paired with Italy, the Lelos and Romania. France are grouped with the Brave Blossoms, 2031 hosts the USA and Samoa.

Expanded Format for 2027

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

This edition will introduce a last-16 round for the very first time in Rugby World Cup history.

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

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