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The English side together with their Welsh counterparts will face off in an identical group for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, setting up a major early encounter in Australia. Completing the group in Pool F by the Tongan Ikale Tahi and the Zimbabwean Sables.

This draw recalls their famous meeting in the group phase of the 2015 tournament, where Wales' victory at Twickenham contributed to the English team's shock group stage elimination.

Other Notable Pool Pairings

The Irish and the Scots have likewise been drawn in a group once again, just as the scenario from the France 2023 tournament. On that occasion, they secured a convincing win, with Scotland failing to progress to the quarter-finals.

Los Teros and Os Lobos, 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 South Africa before the final, presuming the South Africans top their assigned pool.

Tournament Ramifications

If the pools conclude in line with the current world rankings, further top favourites like the All Blacks and France would remain separated from the likes of England and the Irish all the way to the championship decider.

In that scenario, Los Pumas would be the remaining highly-seeded nation on the same side of the knockout draw as those northern hemisphere teams.

Hosts Draw Major Fixture

Tournament hosts Australia have been drawn alongside their trans-Tasman rivals and three-time winners New Zealand in Group A.

The Wallabies will open the tournament in the city of Perth on October 1st, 2027 in a marquee match aimed at launch the competition.

Elsewhere, reigning champions the Springboks have been paired with the Azzurri, Georgia and the Oaks. France are grouped with the Brave Blossoms, 2031 hosts the United States and Manu Samoa.

Larger Tournament for 2027

Los Pumas will take on the Flying Fijians, 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 round of 16 round for the very first time in the competition's existence.

Although the winner of England and Wales's group may be kept apart from some of the game's biggest beasts early on, they will meet the runner-up from Group B – most likely Italy – in the first knockout round.

A total of four of the remaining six pool winners will face 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