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England together with their Welsh counterparts find themselves placed in an identical group for the 2027 RWC, setting up a highly-anticipated early clash in Australia. Completing the group in Pool F by Tonga and Zimbabwe.

This draw mirrors their infamous meeting in the pool stages of the 2015 World Cup, where a Welsh win at Twickenham played a part in the English team's shock group stage elimination.

Key Pool Pairings

The Irish alongside the Scots have likewise been drawn in a pool together, replicating the situation from the 2023 edition. On that occasion, they secured a convincing victory, with Scotland unable to progress to the knockout stages.

Uruguay and Portugal, who each impressed as surprise packages in the last World Cup, complete that same group.

Notably, the victors of these two groups are kept apart from defending champions and top-ranked South Africa before the final, assuming the Springboks top their own group.

Knockout Ramifications

If the groups conclude according to the current global standings, further leading contenders like the All Blacks and Les Bleus would also be kept apart from the likes of England and the Irish until the championship decider.

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

Tournament Hosts Draw Blockbuster Opener

Tournament hosts Australia find themselves together with their great rivals and three-time winners New Zealand in Group A.

The Wallabies will kick off the World Cup in the city of Perth on October 1st, 2027 in a marquee match aimed at launch the competition.

Elsewhere, reigning champions South Africa have been paired with the Azzurri, the Lelos and the Oaks. The French team are grouped with Japan, future hosts the United States and Samoa.

Expanded Format for 2027

Los Pumas will take on Fiji, Los Leones and Canada as the tournament expands to 24 teams from the twenty who competed in 2023.

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

Although the winner of England and Wales's group may be kept apart from some of the rugby's heavyweights initially, they will meet the second-placed team from Group B – most likely the Italians – in the first knockout round.

Four of the other 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