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The English side and their Welsh counterparts have been drawn in an identical pool for the World Cup in 2027, setting up a highly-anticipated early encounter in the tournament Down Under. They are joined in Pool F by Tonga and Zimbabwe.

This draw mirrors their memorable clash in the group phase of the 2015 World Cup, where a Welsh win at Twickenham contributed to the hosts' shock group stage elimination.

Other Notable Group Pairings

Ireland alongside Scotland also share a group together, just as the scenario from the France 2023 tournament. On that occasion, they claimed a 36-14 win, with Scotland unable to advance to the knockout stages.

Uruguay and Portugal, both made a strong impression as surprise packages in France, round out that same group.

Notably, the victors of these two groups cannot meet defending champions and world number one the Springboks before the showpiece match, assuming the Springboks top their assigned pool.

Knockout Ramifications

If the groups play out in line with the current global standings, other leading contenders like New Zealand and France would also be kept apart from the likes of England and Ireland until the championship decider.

Under those circumstances, Argentina would be the other top-ranked nation on the same half of the knockout draw as those northern hemisphere teams.

Hosts Draw Blockbuster Fixture

Tournament hosts the Wallabies find themselves together with their trans-Tasman rivals and triple champions the All Blacks in Group A.

Australia will kick off the tournament in Perth on October 1st, 2027 in a marquee fixture designed to launch the competition.

Elsewhere, reigning champions the Springboks have been paired with the Azzurri, the Lelos and the Oaks. France are grouped with the Brave Blossoms, 2031 hosts the USA and Manu Samoa.

Expanded Format for 2027

Argentina will face Fiji, Los Leones and Canada as the World Cup expands to twenty-four nations from the 20 who took part in France.

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

Although the winner of England and Wales's group may avoid some of the game's heavyweights early on, they will have to face the runner-up from Group B – probably Italy – in the first knockout round.

A total of four of the remaining six pool winners will play a team that finished third 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