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England and their Welsh counterparts will face off in an identical pool for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, promising a major pool stage clash in the tournament Down Under. They are joined in Group F by Tonga and the Zimbabwean Sables.

This draw echoes their infamous meeting in the group phase of the 2015 tournament, where Wales' victory at England's home ground played a part in the hosts' shock group stage elimination.

Other Notable Pool Draws

Ireland alongside Scotland have likewise been drawn in a pool once again, replicating the scenario from the France 2023 tournament. On that occasion, they claimed a convincing victory, with Scotland unable to advance to the quarter-finals.

Uruguay and Os Lobos, who each made a strong impression as underdogs in France, round out that same group.

Notably, the winners of these two groups cannot meet holders and world number one the Springboks before the final, assuming the Springboks win their assigned pool.

Knockout Implications

Should the groups play out according to the current global standings, other top favourites like the All Blacks and Les Bleus would remain separated from both England and Ireland until the championship decider.

Under those circumstances, Argentina would be the remaining top-ranked nation on the same half of the knockout draw as those northern hemisphere teams.

Hosts Face Major Fixture

Hosts Australia have been drawn together with their trans-Tasman rivals and three-time winners the All Blacks in Group A.

The Wallabies will open the World Cup in the city of Perth on 1 October 2027 in a marquee fixture aimed at launch the event.

Elsewhere, holders the Springboks have been paired with Italy, Georgia and Romania. The French team are in a pool with Japan, 2031 hosts the USA and Manu Samoa.

Larger Format for 2027

Argentina will face Fiji, Los Leones and Canada as the tournament expands to 24 teams from the 20 who took part in France.

This edition will feature a round of 16 round for the very first time in the competition's existence.

While the winner of England and Wales's group may avoid some of the game's biggest beasts initially, they will meet the second-placed team from Group B – probably Italy – in the first knockout round.

Four of the remaining six pool winners will play a team that finished third from the pool stages.

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