The English and Wales Placed Together for 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia

The English side and their Welsh counterparts have been drawn in the same group for the 2027 RWC, setting up a major early encounter in the tournament Down Under. Completing the group in Pool F by the Tongan Ikale Tahi and the Zimbabwean Sables.

This pairing mirrors their famous clash in the group phase of the 2015 tournament, where Wales' victory at England's home ground played a part in the hosts' surprise group stage elimination.

Other Notable Group Pairings

Ireland and Scotland also share a group together, just as the scenario from the 2023 edition. In that tournament, Ireland secured a 36-14 win, with their opponents failing to advance to the knockout stages.

Uruguay and Os Lobos, both impressed as underdogs in France, complete that same group.

Significantly, the victors of both Pool D and Pool F cannot meet defending champions and top-ranked South Africa before the final, assuming the Springboks win their assigned pool.

Knockout Implications

If the pools conclude according to the current world rankings, other top favourites like the All Blacks and France would also be kept apart from the likes of England and Ireland until the final.

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

Tournament Hosts Draw Major Fixture

Hosts Australia find themselves together with their trans-Tasman rivals and three-time winners the All Blacks in Pool A.

Australia will kick off the tournament in the city of Perth on October 1st, 2027 in a blockbuster match aimed at jump-start the competition.

In other groups, holders South Africa have been paired with the Azzurri, the Lelos and Romania. France are grouped with the Brave Blossoms, future hosts the USA and Manu Samoa.

Larger Tournament for 2027

Argentina will take on Fiji, Spain and the Canadian team as the World Cup expands to 24 teams from the 20 who competed in 2023.

The 2027 tournament will introduce a last-16 stage for the first time in Rugby World Cup history.

Although 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 Group B – most likely Italy – in the last 16.

Four of the remaining six pool winners will face a third-placed side from the initial group phase.

Rugby World Cup 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