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The English side together with Wales will face off in an identical pool for the World Cup in 2027, promising a highly-anticipated early encounter in Australia. They are joined in Pool F by Tonga and Zimbabwe.

This pairing echoes their infamous clash in the group phase of the 2015 tournament, where a Welsh win at England's home ground contributed to the hosts' shock group stage elimination.

Other Notable Group Pairings

Ireland and the Scots have likewise been drawn in a group once again, just as the scenario from the 2023 edition. In that tournament, they secured a convincing win, with Scotland failing to progress to the knockout stages.

Los Teros and Portugal, both impressed as surprise packages in France, complete that same group.

Notably, the winners of these two groups are kept apart from holders and top-ranked South Africa before the showpiece match, assuming the Springboks top their assigned pool.

Knockout Implications

Should the pools conclude according to the current world rankings, further top favourites like New Zealand and France would also be kept apart from both the English and the Irish all the way to the championship decider.

In that scenario, Los Pumas would be the other top-ranked nation on that side of the elimination bracket as those northern hemisphere teams.

Tournament Hosts Face Major Opener

Tournament hosts Australia find themselves together with their great rivals and triple champions the All Blacks in Group A.

The Wallabies will open the tournament in Perth on October 1st, 2027 in a marquee fixture designed to launch the event.

Elsewhere, holders South Africa have drawn the Azzurri, the Lelos and the Oaks. France are in a pool with Japan, future hosts the USA and Manu Samoa.

Expanded Tournament for 2027

Argentina will take on the Flying Fijians, Spain and the Canadian team as the tournament expands to 24 teams from the twenty who took part in France.

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

Although the winner of England and Wales's group may avoid some of the game's heavyweights early on, they will have to face the runner-up from Pool B – probably the Italians – in the last 16.

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

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