🔗 Share this article The English and Wales Placed in the Same Group for RWC 2027 Down Under The group draw was overseen by rugby icons such as former All Black Dan Carter. England and Wales have been drawn in the same pool for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, promising a major early clash in Australia. Completing the group in Group F by Tonga and the Zimbabwean Sables. This pairing recalls their memorable meeting in the group phase of the 2015 World Cup, where a Welsh win at England's home ground contributed to the English team's surprise early exit. Other Notable Pool Draws Ireland and Scotland have likewise been drawn in a group together, replicating the scenario from the France 2023 tournament. In that tournament, they secured a 36-14 victory, with their opponents failing to advance to the knockout stages. Los Teros and Os Lobos, both made a strong impression as underdogs in the last World Cup, complete that same group. Notably, the winners of these two groups are kept apart from defending champions and world number one the Springboks before the showpiece match, assuming the South Africans win their assigned pool. Knockout Ramifications Should the groups conclude according to the current world rankings, further leading contenders like New Zealand and France would remain separated from the likes of England and Ireland until the championship decider. In that scenario, Argentina would be the other top-ranked nation on the same half of the elimination bracket as England and Ireland. Hosts Face Blockbuster Opener Tournament hosts the Wallabies have been drawn alongside their trans-Tasman rivals and three-time winners New Zealand in Group A. The Wallabies will kick off the tournament in Perth on 1 October 2027 in a blockbuster match aimed at launch the event. In other groups, holders South Africa have been paired with Italy, Georgia and Romania. France are grouped with the Brave Blossoms, 2031 hosts the United States and Manu Samoa. Larger Tournament for 2027 Los Pumas will take on the Flying Fijians, Los Leones and Canada as the tournament expands to 24 teams from the 20 who competed in France. The 2027 tournament will feature a last-16 stage for the first time in Rugby World Cup history. Although the winner of England and Wales's group may avoid some of the game's heavyweights initially, they will meet the runner-up from Group B – probably Italy – in the first knockout round. A total of four of the other six group winners will play a third-placed side from the pool stages. 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