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The English side and their Welsh counterparts will face off in an identical group for the World Cup in 2027, promising a highly-anticipated pool stage clash in Australia. They are joined in Group F by Tonga and the Zimbabwean Sables.

This draw recalls their infamous meeting in the pool stages of the 2015 tournament, where a Welsh win at Twickenham played a part in the hosts' surprise group stage elimination.

Other Notable Group Pairings

The Irish alongside the Scots have likewise been drawn in a pool once again, just as the situation from the 2023 edition. On that occasion, they claimed a convincing win, with Scotland unable to progress to the quarter-finals.

Uruguay and Os Lobos, both impressed as surprise packages in France, complete that Pool D.

Notably, the victors of these two groups cannot meet holders and world number one South Africa until the showpiece match, assuming the South Africans win their assigned pool.

Knockout Implications

Should the pools play out in line with the current world rankings, further top favourites like New Zealand and France would remain separated from the likes of England and Ireland all the way to the championship decider.

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

Hosts Draw Major Fixture

Tournament hosts Australia find themselves together with their trans-Tasman rivals and triple champions New Zealand in Pool A.

The Wallabies will kick off the tournament in the city of Perth on October 1st, 2027 in a blockbuster match aimed at launch the event.

In other groups, reigning champions South Africa have been paired with Italy, the Lelos and Romania. France are in a pool with the Brave Blossoms, 2031 hosts the USA and Samoa.

Expanded Tournament for 2027

Argentina will face Fiji, Spain and the Canadian team as the tournament grows to twenty-four nations from the twenty who competed in France.

The 2027 tournament will feature a last-16 stage for the first time in Rugby World Cup history.

While the winner of England and Wales's group may avoid some of the rugby's heavyweights 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 other six pool winners will face a third-placed side 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