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The English side together with Wales will face off in an identical group for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, promising a highly-anticipated pool stage clash in the tournament Down Under. Completing the group in Group F by Tonga and the Zimbabwean Sables.

This draw echoes their memorable meeting in the pool stages of the 2015 World Cup, where Wales' victory at England's home ground played a part in the English team's surprise early exit.

Key Pool Pairings

The Irish alongside the Scots also share a group together, just as the scenario from the France 2023 tournament. On that occasion, they claimed a convincing victory, with their opponents unable to progress to the knockout stages.

Los Teros and Os Lobos, who each impressed as underdogs in the last World Cup, complete that Pool D.

Significantly, the victors of these two groups cannot meet defending champions and world number one South Africa before the showpiece match, presuming the Springboks top their assigned pool.

Knockout Ramifications

Should the groups conclude according to the current global standings, other top favourites like New Zealand and France would remain separated from the likes of the English and the Irish until the final.

Under those circumstances, Los Pumas would be the remaining top-ranked nation on that half of the knockout draw as those northern hemisphere teams.

Hosts Draw Blockbuster Opener

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

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

Elsewhere, reigning champions the Springboks have drawn Italy, Georgia and Romania. The French team are grouped with Japan, future hosts the United States and Samoa.

Expanded Format for 2027

Argentina will take on Fiji, Spain and the Canadian team as the tournament grows to twenty-four nations from the twenty who competed in 2023.

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 avoid some of the game's heavyweights initially, they will meet the second-placed team from Pool B – probably Italy – in the first knockout round.

Four of the other 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