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The English side together with their Welsh counterparts will face off in an identical group for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, setting up a highly-anticipated pool stage clash in Australia. Completing the group in Pool F by Tonga and Zimbabwe.

This draw recalls their infamous meeting in the pool stages of the 2015 World Cup, where Wales' victory at England's home ground played a part in the English team's shock early exit.

Other Notable Group Pairings

The Irish and Scotland also share a pool together, just as the scenario from the 2023 edition. On that occasion, Ireland secured a 36-14 win, with their opponents failing to advance to the knockout stages.

Los Teros and Portugal, both impressed as underdogs in the last World Cup, complete that Pool D.

Significantly, the victors of both Pool D and Pool F are kept apart from holders and top-ranked the Springboks until the final, presuming the Springboks top their own group.

Tournament Implications

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

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

Hosts Draw Blockbuster 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 World Cup in Perth on 1 October 2027 in a blockbuster fixture aimed at launch the competition.

Elsewhere, reigning champions South Africa have been paired with Italy, Georgia and Romania. France are grouped with Japan, 2031 hosts the USA and Manu Samoa.

Larger Tournament for 2027

Los Pumas will face the Flying Fijians, Spain and Canada as the World Cup grows to twenty-four nations from the twenty who took part in 2023.

The 2027 tournament will introduce a last-16 round for the very first time in Rugby World Cup history.

While the winner of England and Wales's group may be kept apart from some of the game's biggest beasts early on, they will meet the runner-up from Pool B – most likely the Italians – in the first knockout round.

Four of the other six group winners will play a team that finished third 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