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The English side and their Welsh counterparts have been drawn in the same group for the 2027 RWC, promising a major pool stage encounter in Australia. Completing the group in Group F by the Tongan Ikale Tahi and Zimbabwe.

This pairing echoes their memorable clash in the group phase of the 2015 tournament, where Wales' victory at Twickenham contributed to the English team's surprise early exit.

Key Pool Draws

Ireland and Scotland also share a pool once again, just as the scenario from the 2023 edition. On that occasion, they secured a 36-14 victory, with Scotland unable to advance to the quarter-finals.

Los Teros and Os Lobos, both impressed as underdogs in the last World Cup, complete that same group.

Significantly, the winners of both Pool D and Pool F cannot meet defending champions and top-ranked South Africa until the final, assuming the Springboks top their own group.

Tournament Ramifications

Should the groups conclude in line with the current global standings, other top favourites like the All Blacks and Les Bleus would also be kept apart from the likes of England and the Irish until the final.

Under those circumstances, Los Pumas would be the other highly-seeded nation on the same side of the elimination bracket as England and Ireland.

Tournament Hosts Face Blockbuster Fixture

Tournament hosts the Wallabies find themselves together with their great rivals and triple champions the All Blacks in Pool A.

Australia will kick off the tournament in the city of Perth on October 1st, 2027 in a marquee fixture designed to launch the event.

In other groups, holders South Africa have been paired with the Azzurri, the Lelos and Romania. The French team are in a pool with Japan, 2031 hosts the USA and Samoa.

Expanded Tournament for 2027

Argentina will take on Fiji, Los Leones and Canada as the tournament expands to twenty-four nations from the 20 who took part in France.

The 2027 tournament will feature a last-16 stage for the first time in the competition's history.

While the victor of Pool F may be kept apart from some of the rugby's heavyweights initially, they will have to face the runner-up from Group B – most likely the Italians – in the first knockout round.

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

Rugby World Cup 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