🔗 Share this article

England and their Welsh counterparts have been drawn in the same pool for the 2027 RWC, setting up a major early encounter in the tournament Down Under. Completing the group in Group F by Tonga and the Zimbabwean Sables.

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

Other Notable Group Draws

Ireland and Scotland have likewise been drawn in a group together, replicating the situation from the France 2023 tournament. In that tournament, Ireland secured a convincing win, with Scotland unable to progress to the quarter-finals.

Uruguay and Portugal, both made a strong impression as underdogs in France, complete that same group.

Notably, the winners of both Pool D and Pool F are kept apart from holders and top-ranked South Africa until the showpiece match, assuming the South Africans top their assigned pool.

Tournament Implications

Should the groups play out in line with the current global standings, other top favourites like New Zealand and France would also be kept apart from both England and the Irish until the championship decider.

Under those circumstances, Argentina would be the other top-ranked nation on that half of the knockout draw as England and Ireland.

Tournament Hosts Draw Major Opener

Hosts Australia have been drawn together with their trans-Tasman rivals and triple champions the All Blacks in Group A.

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

Elsewhere, reigning champions the Springboks have drawn the Azzurri, Georgia and Romania. France are grouped with Japan, 2031 hosts the United States and Manu Samoa.

Expanded Format for 2027

Los Pumas will face Fiji, Los Leones and Canada as the World Cup grows to twenty-four nations from the 20 who took part in 2023.

The 2027 tournament will introduce a round of 16 round for the first time in Rugby World Cup existence.

While the winner of England and Wales's group may avoid some of the rugby's biggest beasts initially, they will meet the second-placed team from Group B – probably Italy – in the first knockout round.

A total of four of the other six group winners will face a third-placed side 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