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England and their Welsh counterparts find themselves placed in an identical group for the World Cup in 2027, setting up a major pool stage clash in the tournament Down Under. They are joined in Pool F by the Tongan Ikale Tahi and Zimbabwe.

This draw echoes their infamous meeting in the group phase of the 2015 World Cup, where a Welsh win at Twickenham played a part in the hosts' shock group stage elimination.

Key Pool Pairings

The Irish alongside Scotland have likewise been drawn in a pool once again, just as the situation from the 2023 edition. On that occasion, they secured a convincing victory, with Scotland failing to advance to the knockout stages.

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

Notably, the victors of these two groups cannot meet holders and top-ranked South Africa until the final, assuming the Springboks top their own group.

Knockout Implications

Should the pools play out according to the current world rankings, further top favourites like New Zealand and Les Bleus would remain separated from the likes of England and Ireland until the final.

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

Tournament Hosts Face Major Opener

Tournament hosts the Wallabies find themselves alongside their trans-Tasman rivals and triple champions the All Blacks in Pool A.

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

Elsewhere, reigning champions South Africa have been paired with Italy, the Lelos and Romania. France are grouped with the Brave Blossoms, 2031 hosts the United States and Samoa.

Expanded Format for 2027

Argentina will take on Fiji, Spain and Canada as the World Cup grows to twenty-four nations from the 20 who took part in France.

The 2027 tournament will introduce a round of 16 round for the first time in Rugby World Cup existence.

While the victor 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 – most likely the Italians – in the first knockout round.

Four of the remaining six group winners will play a team that finished third 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