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England together with their Welsh counterparts have been drawn in the same group for the 2027 RWC, promising a major early encounter in the tournament Down Under. Completing the group in Pool F by the Tongan Ikale Tahi and Zimbabwe.

This pairing recalls their infamous meeting in the group phase of the 2015 tournament, where Wales' victory at England's home ground contributed to the English team's shock group stage elimination.

Other Notable Group Draws

Ireland alongside Scotland also share a group once again, replicating the scenario from the France 2023 tournament. In that tournament, Ireland claimed a convincing win, with Scotland unable to advance to the knockout stages.

Los Teros and Os Lobos, who each impressed as surprise packages in the last World Cup, complete that same group.

Notably, the winners of both Pool D and Pool F cannot meet defending champions and top-ranked South Africa before the showpiece match, assuming the Springboks win their assigned pool.

Knockout Ramifications

Should the pools conclude in line with the current global standings, other top favourites like the All Blacks and France would also be kept apart from both England and Ireland all the way to the final.

In that scenario, Argentina would be the remaining top-ranked nation on that side of the elimination bracket as England and Ireland.

Hosts Draw Blockbuster Opener

Hosts Australia find themselves together with their great rivals and triple champions the All Blacks in Pool A.

The Wallabies will kick off the World Cup in the city of Perth on 1 October 2027 in a blockbuster match aimed at jump-start the competition.

In other groups, reigning champions the Springboks have been paired with Italy, the Lelos and the Oaks. France are grouped with the Brave Blossoms, future hosts the USA and Samoa.

Larger Format for 2027

Argentina will take on Fiji, Spain and the Canadian team as the World Cup expands to 24 teams from the twenty who competed in 2023.

This edition will introduce a last-16 stage for the first time in the competition's history.

Although the winner of England and Wales's group may avoid some of the rugby's heavyweights early on, they will meet the second-placed team from Group B – probably Italy – in the first knockout round.

A total of four of the other six group 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