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The English side and their Welsh counterparts will face off in an identical pool for the 2027 RWC, promising a highly-anticipated pool stage clash in the tournament Down Under. Completing the group in Group F by Tonga and the Zimbabwean Sables.

This draw echoes their memorable 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.

Key Pool Pairings

Ireland and Scotland also share a pool once again, just as the situation from the France 2023 tournament. On that occasion, they secured a convincing victory, with their opponents unable to progress to the quarter-finals.

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

Significantly, the winners of these two groups are kept apart from defending champions and top-ranked South Africa until the showpiece match, presuming the South Africans win their assigned pool.

Tournament Implications

If the pools conclude in line with the current world rankings, further leading contenders like the All Blacks and Les Bleus would also be kept apart from both England and the Irish until the final.

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

Tournament Hosts Face Major Fixture

Hosts the Wallabies have been drawn alongside their trans-Tasman rivals and three-time winners New Zealand in Pool A.

The Wallabies will open the tournament in the city of Perth on 1 October 2027 in a blockbuster match aimed at jump-start the event.

In other groups, reigning champions the Springboks have been paired with Italy, Georgia and Romania. France are grouped with Japan, future hosts the USA and Manu Samoa.

Larger Format for 2027

Los Pumas will face Fiji, Spain and Canada as the tournament grows to twenty-four nations from the 20 who took part in France.

The 2027 tournament will introduce a last-16 stage for the very first time in the competition's history.

Although the victor of England and Wales's group may be kept apart from some of the game's biggest beasts early on, they will meet the second-placed team from Pool B – probably Italy – in the first knockout round.

Four of the remaining six group winners will face a third-placed side from the pool stages.

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