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England and their Welsh counterparts find themselves placed in the same pool for the World Cup in 2027, promising a highly-anticipated early encounter in Australia. Completing the group in Pool F by Tonga and the Zimbabwean Sables.

This pairing mirrors their famous clash in the pool stages of the 2015 World Cup, where a Welsh win at Twickenham contributed to the hosts' surprise group stage elimination.

Other Notable Pool Draws

Ireland alongside Scotland have likewise been drawn in a group together, replicating the scenario from the 2023 edition. In that tournament, Ireland claimed a convincing victory, with Scotland failing to progress to the quarter-finals.

Uruguay and Os Lobos, both made a strong impression as underdogs in the last World Cup, round out that same group.

Notably, the winners of these two groups cannot meet defending champions and top-ranked South Africa before the showpiece match, presuming the South Africans top their own group.

Knockout Ramifications

If the groups play out according to the current world rankings, further top favourites like the All Blacks and France would remain separated from the likes of the English and Ireland all the way to the championship decider.

Under those circumstances, Argentina would be the remaining highly-seeded nation on the same half of the elimination bracket as England and Ireland.

Tournament Hosts Draw Blockbuster Opener

Hosts Australia have been drawn alongside their trans-Tasman rivals and triple champions New Zealand in Group A.

Australia will open the tournament in Perth on 1 October 2027 in a blockbuster fixture aimed at jump-start the event.

Elsewhere, holders the Springboks have been paired with Italy, the Lelos and the Oaks. France are grouped with Japan, future hosts the United States and Manu Samoa.

Expanded Tournament for 2027

Argentina will face the Flying Fijians, Spain and the Canadian team as the tournament expands to twenty-four nations from the 20 who took part in 2023.

This edition will feature a last-16 stage for the very first time in Rugby World Cup existence.

While the victor 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.

A total of four of the other six pool winners will play 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