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The English side together with Wales will face off in the same pool for the World Cup in 2027, setting up a major early encounter in the tournament Down Under. They are joined in Group F by Tonga and the Zimbabwean Sables.

This draw mirrors their famous clash in the group phase of the 2015 World Cup, where a Welsh win at England's home ground contributed to the English team's surprise group stage elimination.

Key Pool Draws

The Irish and the Scots have likewise been drawn in a pool once again, replicating the scenario from the 2023 edition. On that occasion, they claimed a convincing victory, with their opponents failing to advance to the knockout stages.

Uruguay and Portugal, both impressed as underdogs in France, round out that same group.

Notably, the winners of both Pool D and Pool F are kept apart from holders and top-ranked South Africa until the final, presuming the Springboks win their own group.

Knockout Ramifications

Should the groups conclude in line with the current global standings, further top favourites like New Zealand and France would also be kept apart from the likes of England and the Irish until the final.

Under those circumstances, Argentina would be the remaining top-ranked nation on that half of the elimination bracket as England and Ireland.

Tournament Hosts Face Blockbuster Fixture

Tournament hosts the Wallabies 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 the city of Perth on 1 October 2027 in a marquee match aimed at jump-start the event.

Elsewhere, holders the Springboks have drawn the Azzurri, the Lelos and Romania. France are in a pool with Japan, 2031 hosts the United States and Samoa.

Larger Tournament for 2027

Argentina will take on Fiji, Spain and the Canadian team as the World Cup expands to 24 teams from the 20 who competed in 2023.

The 2027 tournament will introduce a round of 16 stage for the very first time in the competition's existence.

Although the victor of England and Wales's group may avoid some of the game's biggest beasts early on, they will have to face the runner-up from Pool B – most likely Italy – in the last 16.

A total of four of the other six group winners will face a team that finished third 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