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England together with Wales will face off in an identical pool for the World Cup in 2027, 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 pairing mirrors their memorable clash in the pool stages of the 2015 tournament, where Wales' victory at Twickenham contributed to the hosts' shock early exit.

Key Pool Draws

Ireland and the Scots also share a pool together, replicating the scenario from the 2023 edition. On that occasion, Ireland claimed a 36-14 victory, with their opponents unable to advance to the knockout stages.

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

Notably, the victors of these two groups are kept apart from holders and world number one the Springboks before the final, assuming the South Africans top their assigned pool.

Tournament Implications

If the pools conclude in line with the current global standings, further top favourites like New Zealand and France would also be kept apart from both the English and the Irish all the way to the final.

In that scenario, Argentina would be the remaining top-ranked nation on that side of the elimination bracket as those northern hemisphere teams.

Hosts Draw Blockbuster Opener

Tournament hosts Australia find themselves alongside their trans-Tasman rivals and three-time winners New Zealand in Group A.

The Wallabies will kick off the tournament in the city of Perth on October 1st, 2027 in a blockbuster fixture designed to launch the event.

In other groups, reigning champions the Springboks have drawn the Azzurri, Georgia and Romania. The French team are grouped with the Brave Blossoms, future hosts the USA and Manu Samoa.

Larger Tournament for 2027

Los Pumas will take on Fiji, Spain and Canada as the tournament expands to twenty-four nations from the 20 who took part in France.

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

While the victor of Pool F may be kept apart from some of the game's heavyweights initially, they will meet the runner-up from Pool B – most likely the Italians – in the first knockout round.

A total of four of the remaining six group winners will face 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