🔗 Share this article The English along with Wales Pitted Together for the 2027 World Cup in Australia The group draw was overseen by sporting icons such as former All Black Dan Carter. England together with their Welsh counterparts have been drawn in the same group for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, promising a major pool stage encounter in the tournament Down Under. Completing the group in Group F by the Tongan Ikale Tahi and Zimbabwe. This pairing recalls their infamous meeting in the pool stages of the 2015 World Cup, where a Welsh win at England's home ground played a part in the hosts' shock early exit. Key Pool Pairings Ireland and Scotland have likewise been drawn in a group once again, replicating the situation from the 2023 edition. In that tournament, they claimed a convincing win, with Scotland unable to advance to the quarter-finals. Los Teros and Os Lobos, both impressed as underdogs in the last World Cup, round out that same group. Notably, the winners of both Pool D and Pool F are kept apart from holders and top-ranked the Springboks until the final, presuming the Springboks top their assigned pool. Knockout Implications If the groups conclude according to the current world rankings, further leading contenders like the All Blacks and France would also be kept apart from the likes of the English and Ireland until the final. In that scenario, Los Pumas would be the other top-ranked nation on that half of the elimination bracket as England and Ireland. Hosts Face Blockbuster Opener Hosts Australia find themselves alongside their great rivals and three-time winners New Zealand in Pool A. Australia will kick off the World Cup in Perth on October 1st, 2027 in a marquee match designed to jump-start the event. Elsewhere, reigning champions South Africa have been paired with Italy, Georgia and the Oaks. France are grouped with the Brave Blossoms, future hosts the USA and Manu Samoa. Expanded Format for 2027 Los Pumas will face the Flying Fijians, Los Leones and the Canadian team as the tournament expands to 24 teams from the 20 who competed in France. This edition will introduce a round of 16 stage for the very first time in the competition's history. While the victor of Pool F may avoid some of the game's biggest beasts initially, they will meet the second-placed team from Pool B – most likely Italy – in the first knockout round. Four of the remaining six pool winners will face a third-placed side 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