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England and their Welsh counterparts find themselves placed in an identical pool for the World Cup in 2027, promising a major early encounter in Australia. They are joined in Group F by the Tongan Ikale Tahi and Zimbabwe.

This pairing mirrors their infamous meeting in the group phase of the 2015 tournament, where a Welsh win at England's home ground contributed to the hosts' shock group stage elimination.

Other Notable Group Draws

The Irish alongside the Scots have likewise been drawn in a pool together, just as the scenario from the 2023 edition. In that tournament, they secured a 36-14 win, with their opponents failing to advance to the knockout stages.

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

Significantly, the winners of these two groups are kept apart from holders and world number one the Springboks before the final, assuming the South Africans top their own group.

Tournament Ramifications

If the pools conclude according to the current global standings, other leading contenders like New Zealand and France would also be kept apart from the likes of the English and Ireland until the final.

In that scenario, Argentina would be the remaining highly-seeded nation on the same half of the elimination bracket as those northern hemisphere teams.

Tournament Hosts Face Blockbuster Opener

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

The Wallabies will kick off the tournament in the city of Perth on October 1st, 2027 in a marquee match designed to jump-start the event.

In other groups, reigning champions the Springboks have been paired with Italy, Georgia and the Oaks. France are in a pool with Japan, 2031 hosts the United States and Samoa.

Expanded Tournament for 2027

Los Pumas will face Fiji, Spain and the Canadian team as the tournament expands to 24 teams from the 20 who took part in France.

This edition will introduce a last-16 round for the very first time in Rugby World Cup history.

While the winner of Pool F may avoid some of the game's heavyweights early on, they will meet the runner-up from Pool B – most likely the Italians – in the first knockout round.

A total of four of the other 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