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The English side and their Welsh counterparts will face off in an identical group for the 2027 RWC, promising a major early clash in the tournament Down Under. Completing the group in Pool F by Tonga and Zimbabwe.

This draw recalls their infamous meeting in the pool stages of the 2015 tournament, where a Welsh win at England's home ground played a part in the hosts' shock group stage elimination.

Other Notable Group Draws

The Irish and the Scots have likewise been drawn in a pool once again, replicating the situation from the 2023 edition. In that tournament, Ireland claimed a convincing victory, with their opponents failing to progress to the quarter-finals.

Uruguay and Os Lobos, both 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 cannot meet holders and top-ranked South Africa before the final, assuming the Springboks win their assigned pool.

Knockout Implications

Should the groups play out according to the current global standings, further top favourites like New Zealand and Les Bleus would remain separated from the likes of England and the Irish all the way to the championship decider.

In that scenario, Argentina would be the other highly-seeded nation on the same side of the elimination bracket as England and Ireland.

Hosts Draw Major Opener

Hosts Australia have been drawn alongside their trans-Tasman rivals and triple champions New Zealand in Group A.

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

Elsewhere, reigning champions the Springboks have drawn the Azzurri, Georgia and the Oaks. The French team are grouped with the Brave Blossoms, 2031 hosts the USA and Manu Samoa.

Larger Tournament for 2027

Argentina will face Fiji, Los Leones and Canada as the World Cup expands to 24 teams from the twenty who took part in 2023.

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

Although the winner of England and Wales's group may avoid some of the rugby's heavyweights initially, they will have to face the second-placed team from Group B – probably Italy – in the last 16.

Four of the remaining six pool 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