🔗 Share this article The English and Welsh Placed in the Same Group for the 2027 World Cup in Australia The pool stage draw was overseen by rugby icons such as two-time World Cup winner Dan Carter. England and their Welsh counterparts find themselves placed in an identical group for the 2027 RWC, promising a major pool stage clash in Australia. They are joined in Group F by Tonga and Zimbabwe. This draw recalls their memorable clash in the group phase of the 2015 World Cup, where Wales' victory at England's home ground contributed to the English team's surprise group stage elimination. Key Pool Draws Ireland alongside Scotland have likewise been drawn in a pool once again, replicating the scenario from the 2023 edition. On that occasion, they claimed a convincing victory, with their opponents unable to progress to the knockout stages. Los Teros and Portugal, who each made a strong impression as surprise packages in France, round out that same group. Notably, the victors of these two groups are kept apart from defending champions and top-ranked the Springboks before the showpiece match, presuming the South Africans win their own group. Knockout Ramifications If the pools conclude in line with the current global standings, other leading contenders like the All Blacks and Les Bleus would remain separated from both the English and the Irish until the final. Under those circumstances, Argentina would be the remaining top-ranked nation on that side of the knockout draw as those northern hemisphere teams. Tournament Hosts Draw Major Fixture Tournament hosts Australia have been drawn together with their great rivals and triple champions New Zealand in Pool A. The Wallabies will open the tournament in Perth on 1 October 2027 in a blockbuster match aimed at launch the event. Elsewhere, reigning champions South Africa have drawn the Azzurri, Georgia and the Oaks. The French team are grouped with the Brave Blossoms, future hosts the United States and Samoa. Larger Tournament for 2027 Los Pumas will face Fiji, Spain and the Canadian team as the tournament expands to 24 teams from the 20 who took part in 2023. The 2027 tournament will introduce a last-16 stage for the first time in the competition's existence. Although the victor of England and Wales's group may avoid some of the rugby's biggest beasts early on, they will meet the runner-up from Group B – most likely Italy – in the last 16. A total of four of the other six pool winners will face a team that finished third from the pool stages. RWC 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