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The English side and their Welsh counterparts have been drawn in the same pool for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, promising a major early clash in Australia. Completing the group in Pool F by Tonga and the Zimbabwean Sables.

This pairing recalls their memorable meeting in the group phase of the 2015 tournament, where Wales' victory at Twickenham contributed to the English team's shock group stage elimination.

Key Group Pairings

The Irish alongside Scotland have likewise been drawn in a group together, just as the situation from the France 2023 tournament. On that occasion, Ireland secured a convincing victory, with Scotland unable to progress to the knockout stages.

Los Teros and Portugal, who each impressed as underdogs in the last World Cup, round out that same group.

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

Knockout Implications

If the groups play out according to the current global standings, other leading contenders like New Zealand and Les Bleus would remain separated from both England and the Irish until the final.

Under those circumstances, Argentina would be the other highly-seeded nation on that side of the elimination bracket as England and Ireland.

Tournament Hosts Draw Major Opener

Tournament hosts the Wallabies have been drawn alongside their great rivals and three-time winners the All Blacks in Pool A.

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

Elsewhere, holders the Springboks have drawn Italy, Georgia and Romania. The French team are grouped with the Brave Blossoms, 2031 hosts the United States and Samoa.

Expanded Format for 2027

Los Pumas will take on the Flying Fijians, Los Leones and Canada as the tournament expands to twenty-four nations from the 20 who competed in France.

The 2027 tournament will feature a round of 16 round for the first time in the competition's history.

While the victor of Pool F may avoid some of the game's biggest beasts initially, they will meet the runner-up from Pool B – most likely Italy – in the last 16.

Four of the remaining six group winners will play 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