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England and Wales find themselves placed in an identical pool for the World Cup in 2027, setting up a highly-anticipated early encounter in Australia. Completing the group in Group F by the Tongan Ikale Tahi and Zimbabwe.

This pairing recalls their famous meeting in the group phase of the 2015 World Cup, where a Welsh win at England's home ground played a part in the English team's surprise group stage elimination.

Key Pool Draws

Ireland alongside the Scots have likewise been drawn in a group together, just as the scenario from the 2023 edition. On that occasion, Ireland claimed a 36-14 win, with their opponents failing to progress to the quarter-finals.

Los Teros and Os Lobos, who each impressed as underdogs in France, complete that Pool D.

Notably, the victors of both Pool D and Pool F are kept apart from defending champions and world number one South Africa until the showpiece match, presuming the Springboks win their assigned pool.

Knockout Ramifications

If the groups play out according to the current global standings, further leading contenders like New Zealand and Les Bleus would remain separated from the likes of England and the Irish all the way to the championship decider.

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

Hosts Face Major Fixture

Hosts Australia have been drawn together with their great rivals and triple champions the All Blacks in Group A.

Australia will open the World Cup in Perth on October 1st, 2027 in a blockbuster match aimed at jump-start the competition.

Elsewhere, holders the Springboks have drawn the Azzurri, Georgia and Romania. France are in a pool with the Brave Blossoms, 2031 hosts the USA and Manu Samoa.

Larger Format for 2027

Argentina will take on the Flying Fijians, Spain and the Canadian team as the World Cup grows to twenty-four nations from the twenty who took part in 2023.

This edition will introduce a round of 16 stage for the first time in Rugby World Cup existence.

Although the winner of Pool F may avoid some of the rugby's biggest beasts initially, they will have to face the runner-up from Pool B – most likely Italy – in the last 16.

A total of four of the remaining six group winners will play a team that finished third from the initial group phase.

RWC 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