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The English side together with their Welsh counterparts will face off in the same pool for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, promising a highly-anticipated pool stage clash in Australia. They are joined in Pool F by Tonga and the Zimbabwean Sables.

This draw echoes their famous clash in the group phase of the 2015 tournament, where Wales' victory at Twickenham played a part in the English team's surprise group stage elimination.

Other Notable Pool Pairings

Ireland and the Scots also share a group once again, replicating the situation from the 2023 edition. On that occasion, Ireland secured a convincing victory, with their opponents failing to advance to the quarter-finals.

Uruguay and Portugal, who each impressed as underdogs in France, complete that same group.

Significantly, the victors of these two groups cannot meet defending champions and top-ranked South Africa until the showpiece match, assuming the South Africans win their assigned pool.

Knockout Ramifications

Should the pools conclude according to the current global standings, other leading contenders like the All Blacks and France would also be kept apart from both England and Ireland all the way to the championship decider.

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

Tournament Hosts Face Blockbuster Fixture

Tournament hosts the Wallabies have been drawn alongside their trans-Tasman rivals and triple champions the All Blacks in Pool A.

Australia will open the World Cup in the city of Perth on October 1st, 2027 in a blockbuster fixture aimed at launch the competition.

Elsewhere, holders South Africa have been paired with Italy, the Lelos and the Oaks. France are grouped with the Brave Blossoms, 2031 hosts the United States and Manu Samoa.

Larger Tournament for 2027

Argentina will face Fiji, Spain and Canada as the World Cup grows to twenty-four nations from the twenty who took part in France.

This edition will feature a last-16 stage for the first time in Rugby World Cup existence.

While the victor of England and Wales's group may be kept apart from some of the rugby's biggest beasts initially, they will have to face the runner-up from Group B – probably Italy – in the first knockout round.

A total of four of the other six pool winners will face a third-placed side 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