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The English side together with their Welsh counterparts will face off in an identical group for the World Cup in 2027, setting up a major pool stage clash in Australia. Completing the group in Group F by Tonga and Zimbabwe.

This pairing echoes their famous clash in the group phase of the 2015 tournament, where Wales' victory at England's home ground contributed to the hosts' surprise early exit.

Key Group Pairings

The Irish and the Scots have likewise been drawn in a group once again, replicating the situation from the France 2023 tournament. In that tournament, Ireland claimed a 36-14 victory, with Scotland unable to progress to the quarter-finals.

Los Teros and Os Lobos, both impressed as surprise packages in the last World Cup, complete that Pool D.

Significantly, the winners of both Pool D and Pool F are kept apart from holders and top-ranked the Springboks before the final, assuming the South Africans win their own group.

Knockout Implications

Should the groups play out in line with the current global standings, other leading contenders like the All Blacks and Les Bleus would also be kept apart from both England and Ireland all the way to the final.

In that scenario, Los Pumas would be the remaining top-ranked nation on that side of the elimination bracket as England and Ireland.

Hosts Draw Blockbuster Fixture

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

The Wallabies will kick off the tournament in the city of Perth on 1 October 2027 in a marquee match designed to jump-start the competition.

In other groups, holders the Springboks have drawn the Azzurri, Georgia and the Oaks. France are in a pool with the Brave Blossoms, 2031 hosts the United States and Samoa.

Expanded Format for 2027

Los Pumas will face Fiji, Spain and the Canadian team as the World Cup grows to 24 teams from the 20 who took part in France.

The 2027 tournament will feature a round of 16 stage for the very first time in Rugby World Cup history.

While the victor of England and Wales's group may be kept apart from some of the game's biggest beasts early on, they will have to face the second-placed team from Pool B – most likely Italy – in the first knockout round.

A total of four of the other six pool winners will play 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