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England together with their Welsh counterparts have been drawn in an identical pool for the World Cup in 2027, setting up a major early clash in the tournament Down Under. They are joined in Pool F by Tonga and the Zimbabwean Sables.

This draw recalls their infamous meeting in the group phase of the 2015 tournament, where a Welsh win at England's home ground contributed to the English team's shock group stage elimination.

Key Group Draws

Ireland alongside the Scots have likewise been drawn in a group together, replicating the situation from the 2023 edition. On that occasion, Ireland claimed a 36-14 victory, with Scotland failing to progress to the knockout stages.

Uruguay and Os Lobos, both made a strong impression as surprise packages in France, complete that same group.

Significantly, the victors of these two groups are kept apart from defending champions and top-ranked the Springboks before the final, presuming the Springboks top their own group.

Tournament Ramifications

Should the groups conclude according to the current global standings, further top favourites like New Zealand and Les Bleus would also be kept apart from the likes of the English and the Irish until the final.

In that scenario, Argentina would be the remaining top-ranked nation on the same side of the knockout draw as England and Ireland.

Tournament Hosts Draw Major Fixture

Hosts Australia find themselves together with their trans-Tasman rivals and three-time winners the All Blacks in Pool A.

Australia will kick off the World Cup in the city of Perth on 1 October 2027 in a blockbuster fixture designed to jump-start the competition.

Elsewhere, holders South Africa have drawn Italy, Georgia and Romania. France are grouped with the Brave Blossoms, 2031 hosts the United States and Samoa.

Larger Format for 2027

Los Pumas will take on the Flying Fijians, Los Leones and the Canadian team as the tournament grows to 24 teams from the 20 who took part in 2023.

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

While the victor of Pool F may be kept apart from some of the game's biggest beasts early on, they will have to face the runner-up from Group B – probably the Italians – in the first knockout round.

Four of the other six group 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