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England together with their Welsh counterparts will face off in an identical pool for the World Cup in 2027, promising a major early encounter in Australia. Completing the group in Group F by the Tongan Ikale Tahi and Zimbabwe.

This draw echoes their famous meeting in the pool stages of the 2015 World Cup, where a Welsh win at England's home ground contributed to the hosts' shock group stage elimination.

Other Notable Pool Pairings

The Irish and Scotland also share a pool once again, just as the situation from the 2023 edition. On that occasion, Ireland claimed a convincing win, with Scotland unable to progress to the quarter-finals.

Los Teros and Portugal, both impressed as underdogs in France, round out that Pool D.

Notably, the victors of these two groups are kept apart from defending champions and world number one South Africa until the showpiece match, assuming the Springboks win their own group.

Tournament Ramifications

Should 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 all the way to the championship decider.

Under those circumstances, Argentina would be the other top-ranked nation on that side of the elimination bracket as England and Ireland.

Hosts Face Blockbuster Opener

Hosts Australia have been drawn alongside their great rivals and three-time winners New Zealand in Group A.

The Wallabies will kick off the World Cup in Perth on 1 October 2027 in a marquee fixture designed to launch the event.

Elsewhere, holders the Springboks have been paired with Italy, Georgia and the Oaks. France are in a pool with the Brave Blossoms, 2031 hosts the USA and Samoa.

Expanded Format for 2027

Los Pumas will take on the Flying Fijians, Los Leones and Canada as the World Cup grows to twenty-four nations from the twenty who took part in France.

The 2027 tournament will feature a round of 16 stage for the very first time in Rugby World Cup history.

Although the winner of Pool F may be kept apart from some of the rugby's biggest beasts initially, they will meet the runner-up from Group B – most likely the Italians – in the last 16.

A total of four of the remaining six pool winners will face a third-placed side 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