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England together with their Welsh counterparts will face off in an identical group for the World Cup in 2027, promising a highly-anticipated early encounter in Australia. They are joined in Group F by Tonga and the Zimbabwean Sables.

This draw mirrors their infamous meeting in the group phase of the 2015 tournament, where Wales' victory at Twickenham contributed to the hosts' surprise group stage elimination.

Key Group Pairings

Ireland and the Scots also share a group together, just as the situation from the France 2023 tournament. In that tournament, they secured a 36-14 victory, with their opponents failing to progress to the knockout stages.

Uruguay and Os Lobos, who each impressed as surprise packages in the last World Cup, complete that same group.

Significantly, the winners of these two groups are kept apart from defending champions and top-ranked South Africa before the showpiece match, presuming the South Africans win their assigned pool.

Tournament Ramifications

If the groups conclude in line with the current global standings, further top favourites like the All Blacks and France would remain separated from the likes of the English and Ireland until the final.

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

Tournament Hosts Draw Major Opener

Tournament hosts Australia have been drawn together with their great rivals and triple champions the All Blacks in Pool A.

Australia will open the tournament in the city of Perth on 1 October 2027 in a marquee match aimed at launch the event.

In other groups, reigning champions South Africa have drawn Italy, the Lelos and Romania. The French team are in a pool with the Brave Blossoms, future hosts the United States and Manu Samoa.

Expanded Tournament for 2027

Argentina will face Fiji, Spain and Canada as the World Cup expands to 24 teams from the twenty who competed in 2023.

The 2027 tournament will introduce a last-16 stage for the very first time in Rugby World Cup history.

Although the victor of Pool F may avoid some of the game's biggest beasts early on, they will meet the runner-up from Pool B – most likely the Italians – in the first knockout round.

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

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