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The English side and their Welsh counterparts have been drawn in an identical group for the World Cup in 2027, promising a major early clash in Australia. They are joined in Group F by the Tongan Ikale Tahi and Zimbabwe.

This draw mirrors their memorable meeting in the group phase of the 2015 World Cup, where Wales' victory at Twickenham played a part in the hosts' shock early exit.

Key Group Draws

Ireland alongside the Scots have likewise been drawn in a group once again, replicating the situation from the 2023 edition. On that occasion, Ireland secured a 36-14 win, with their opponents failing to advance to the quarter-finals.

Los Teros and Portugal, who each made a strong impression as underdogs in the last World Cup, round out that Pool D.

Significantly, the victors of these two groups cannot meet holders and world number one the Springboks until the showpiece match, assuming the Springboks top their own group.

Tournament Implications

If the groups play out in line with the current global standings, other top favourites like New Zealand and Les Bleus would remain separated from both the English and the Irish all the way to the championship decider.

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

Tournament Hosts Draw Blockbuster Opener

Hosts Australia find themselves alongside their great rivals and three-time winners the All Blacks in Group A.

The Wallabies will open the tournament in the city of Perth on October 1st, 2027 in a marquee fixture aimed at jump-start the competition.

In other groups, reigning champions South Africa have drawn the Azzurri, the Lelos and Romania. France are in a pool with Japan, future hosts the USA and Manu Samoa.

Expanded Format for 2027

Argentina will take on the Flying Fijians, Los Leones and Canada as the tournament grows to twenty-four nations from the twenty who took part 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 Pool F may avoid some of the rugby's heavyweights initially, they will have to face the second-placed team from Group B – most likely the Italians – in the first knockout round.

A total of four of the remaining six pool 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