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The English side and Wales have been drawn in an identical group for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, promising a highly-anticipated early encounter in the tournament Down Under. They are joined in Pool F by Tonga and the Zimbabwean Sables.

This draw recalls their famous meeting in the group phase of the 2015 tournament, where a Welsh win at England's home ground contributed to the hosts' shock early exit.

Other Notable Group Draws

The Irish and Scotland also share a pool once again, replicating the situation from the 2023 edition. On that occasion, they secured a convincing win, with Scotland unable to advance to the quarter-finals.

Los Teros and Os Lobos, both made a strong impression as surprise packages in France, round out that Pool D.

Notably, the winners of these two groups cannot meet defending champions and world number one South Africa until the showpiece match, assuming the South Africans top their own group.

Tournament Implications

Should the pools play out according to the current global standings, other leading contenders like New Zealand and France would remain separated from the likes of the English and the Irish all the way to the final.

In that scenario, Argentina would be the other top-ranked nation on the same half of the knockout draw as those northern hemisphere teams.

Tournament Hosts Face Blockbuster Fixture

Hosts Australia have been drawn together with their great rivals and three-time winners New Zealand in Group A.

Australia will kick off the World Cup in Perth on October 1st, 2027 in a marquee match aimed at jump-start the competition.

In other groups, holders South Africa have drawn Italy, the Lelos and the Oaks. The French team are grouped with the Brave Blossoms, 2031 hosts the USA and Manu Samoa.

Larger Tournament for 2027

Argentina will face Fiji, Spain and the Canadian team as the tournament grows to twenty-four nations from the 20 who took part in 2023.

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

Although the winner of Pool F may be kept apart from some of the game's heavyweights initially, they will meet the runner-up from Pool B – probably Italy – in the last 16.

Four of the remaining six pool winners will play 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