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England and their Welsh counterparts will face off in the same group for the World Cup in 2027, promising a major early clash in the tournament Down Under. They are joined in Group F by the Tongan Ikale Tahi and the Zimbabwean Sables.

This draw mirrors their infamous meeting in the group phase of the 2015 tournament, where Wales' victory at England's home ground contributed to the English team's surprise group stage elimination.

Other Notable Pool Pairings

The Irish and the Scots have likewise been drawn in a group once again, just as the situation from the France 2023 tournament. On that occasion, Ireland secured a convincing win, with Scotland unable to progress to the quarter-finals.

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

Significantly, the victors of both Pool D and Pool F are kept apart from holders and world number one South Africa until the final, presuming the South Africans top their assigned pool.

Knockout Implications

Should the groups conclude according to the current global standings, other leading contenders like New Zealand and Les Bleus would also be kept apart from the likes of England and the Irish all the way to the final.

Under those circumstances, Argentina would be the remaining top-ranked nation on the same side of the elimination bracket as those northern hemisphere teams.

Tournament Hosts Draw Major Fixture

Tournament hosts Australia find themselves together with their great rivals and three-time winners New Zealand in Group A.

Australia will kick off the tournament in Perth on 1 October 2027 in a blockbuster match aimed at launch the competition.

In other groups, holders South Africa have drawn Italy, Georgia and Romania. The French team are grouped with Japan, future hosts the USA and Manu Samoa.

Larger Tournament for 2027

Los Pumas will face the Flying Fijians, Los Leones and the Canadian team as the World Cup grows to twenty-four nations from the 20 who competed in France.

This edition will introduce a round of 16 stage for the very first time in the competition's existence.

Although the winner of Pool F may be kept apart from some of the rugby's biggest beasts initially, they will meet the runner-up from Pool B – most likely Italy – in the last 16.

Four of the other six group winners will play a third-placed side from the initial group phase.

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