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The English side and their Welsh counterparts have been drawn in the same pool for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, promising a highly-anticipated early clash in Australia. Completing the group in Pool F by Tonga and Zimbabwe.

This pairing recalls their famous meeting in the pool stages of the 2015 tournament, where Wales' victory at England's home ground contributed to the English team's shock early exit.

Other Notable Pool Draws

Ireland and Scotland have likewise been drawn in a group once again, just as the scenario from the France 2023 tournament. On that occasion, Ireland secured a convincing victory, with their opponents unable to advance to the quarter-finals.

Los Teros and Portugal, who each made a strong impression as surprise packages in France, complete that Pool D.

Notably, the winners of both Pool D and Pool F are kept apart from defending champions and top-ranked South Africa before the final, presuming the Springboks top their own group.

Knockout Implications

If the pools play out according to the current world rankings, other top favourites like New Zealand and France would also be kept apart from both England and Ireland until the final.

In that scenario, Los Pumas would be the other top-ranked nation on the same half of the knockout draw as England and Ireland.

Hosts Face Blockbuster Opener

Hosts Australia find themselves alongside their trans-Tasman rivals and triple champions New Zealand in Group A.

Australia will open the tournament in the city of Perth on 1 October 2027 in a marquee fixture aimed at jump-start the event.

In other groups, holders the Springboks have been paired with the Azzurri, the Lelos and Romania. The French team are grouped with the Brave Blossoms, 2031 hosts the USA and Samoa.

Expanded Tournament for 2027

Argentina will take on Fiji, Los Leones and the Canadian team as the tournament expands to 24 teams from the 20 who competed in 2023.

This edition will introduce a round of 16 round for the very first time in Rugby World Cup history.

Although the winner of England and Wales's group may be kept apart from some of the game's biggest beasts initially, they will meet the second-placed team from Pool B – probably the Italians – in the first knockout round.

Four of the other six group winners will face 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