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The English side and their Welsh counterparts will face off in an identical pool for the World Cup in 2027, setting up a major pool stage clash in the tournament Down Under. Completing the group in Pool F by the Tongan Ikale Tahi and Zimbabwe.

This pairing recalls their infamous meeting in the pool stages of the 2015 tournament, where Wales' victory at England's home ground played a part in the English team's shock group stage elimination.

Key Group Draws

Ireland and Scotland also share a pool once again, replicating the scenario from the France 2023 tournament. In that tournament, they secured a convincing win, with their opponents unable to progress to the quarter-finals.

Los Teros and Portugal, who each impressed as surprise packages in the last World Cup, complete that same group.

Notably, the victors of these two groups cannot meet defending champions and top-ranked South Africa before the final, presuming the Springboks top their assigned pool.

Knockout Ramifications

Should the groups play out in line with the current world rankings, other leading contenders like the All Blacks and France would remain separated from both England and the Irish until the final.

In that scenario, Argentina would be the remaining top-ranked nation on that half of the knockout draw as England and Ireland.

Tournament Hosts Draw Blockbuster Opener

Hosts Australia have been drawn together with their great rivals and triple champions New Zealand in Pool A.

The Wallabies will open the World Cup in Perth on October 1st, 2027 in a blockbuster match designed to launch the competition.

Elsewhere, holders South Africa have been paired with the Azzurri, the Lelos and Romania. France are grouped with Japan, 2031 hosts the USA and Manu Samoa.

Expanded Format for 2027

Los Pumas will face Fiji, Spain and Canada as the tournament expands to 24 teams from the 20 who took part in France.

The 2027 tournament will feature a last-16 stage for the very first time in Rugby World Cup existence.

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 second-placed team from Group B – probably Italy – in the last 16.

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