π Share this article England along with Wales Placed in the Same Group for 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia The pool stage draw was conducted by rugby icons such as former All Black Dan Carter. England and Wales have been drawn in an identical group for the 2027 RWC, setting up a major pool stage clash in Australia. They are joined in Group F by Tonga and the Zimbabwean Sables. This draw echoes their memorable clash in the pool stages of the 2015 World Cup, where a Welsh win at England's home ground played a part in the English team's shock group stage elimination. Other Notable Group Pairings The Irish alongside Scotland have likewise been drawn in a group together, replicating the scenario from the France 2023 tournament. On that occasion, Ireland claimed a 36-14 win, with Scotland failing to progress to the knockout stages. Los Teros and Portugal, both impressed as underdogs in the last World Cup, complete that Pool D. Notably, the winners of these two groups are kept apart from defending champions and top-ranked the Springboks until the final, assuming the Springboks top their own group. Knockout Ramifications If the groups play out in line with the current world rankings, other top favourites like New Zealand and France would remain separated from both the English and the Irish until the championship decider. In that scenario, Argentina would be the remaining top-ranked nation on the same side of the elimination bracket as England and Ireland. Tournament Hosts Draw Major Fixture Hosts Australia have been drawn alongside their great rivals and three-time winners the All Blacks in Pool A. The Wallabies will kick off the World Cup in the city of Perth on October 1st, 2027 in a blockbuster fixture designed to jump-start the competition. Elsewhere, holders the Springboks have been paired with Italy, Georgia and the Oaks. The French team are grouped with the Brave Blossoms, 2031 hosts the USA and Samoa. Expanded Format for 2027 Argentina will face the Flying Fijians, Los Leones and Canada as the tournament expands to 24 teams from the twenty who competed in France. This edition will introduce a round of 16 round for the very 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 biggest beasts early on, they will have to face the runner-up from Group B β probably the Italians β in the first knockout round. Four of the remaining six pool 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