England along with Welsh Placed Together for 2027 Rugby World Cup Down Under

England together with their Welsh counterparts have been drawn in the same group for the World Cup in 2027, promising a highly-anticipated early encounter in Australia. Completing the group in Pool F by Tonga and the Zimbabwean Sables.

This draw mirrors their infamous meeting in the group phase of the 2015 World Cup, where a Welsh win at England's home ground played a part in the English team's surprise group stage elimination.

Other Notable Pool Pairings

The Irish and Scotland have likewise been drawn in a group together, replicating the scenario from the France 2023 tournament. In that tournament, they secured a convincing victory, with their opponents unable to advance to the knockout stages.

Los Teros and Os Lobos, both made a strong impression as underdogs in France, round out that Pool D.

Significantly, the victors of these two groups cannot meet holders and top-ranked South Africa until the showpiece match, presuming the Springboks win their assigned pool.

Tournament Implications

Should the groups play out in line with the current global standings, further top favourites like New Zealand and Les Bleus would remain separated from the likes of the English and the Irish all the way to the final.

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

Tournament Hosts Draw Major Opener

Tournament hosts the Wallabies have been drawn together with their trans-Tasman rivals and triple champions New Zealand in Pool A.

Australia will kick off the tournament in the city of Perth on October 1st, 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. The French team are in a pool with Japan, future hosts the USA and Manu Samoa.

Expanded Tournament for 2027

Argentina will face Fiji, Los Leones and Canada as the World Cup grows to 24 teams from the twenty who took part in France.

The 2027 tournament will feature a last-16 stage for the 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 Pool B – most likely the Italians – in the first knockout round.

Four of the other six pool winners will play a team that finished third from the pool stages.

RWC 2027 Groups

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