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England and Wales find themselves placed in the same group for the World Cup in 2027, setting up a major early encounter in the tournament Down Under. Completing the group in Pool F by Tonga and Zimbabwe.

This pairing recalls their infamous meeting in the group phase of the 2015 World Cup, where Wales' victory at England's home ground played a part in the hosts' shock early exit.

Key Pool Draws

The Irish and Scotland have likewise been drawn in a group once again, just as the situation from the 2023 edition. On that occasion, Ireland secured a convincing victory, with their opponents unable to progress to the quarter-finals.

Los Teros and Os Lobos, both made a strong impression as underdogs in the last World Cup, round out that same group.

Significantly, the winners of these two groups are kept apart from holders and top-ranked the Springboks before the showpiece match, presuming the Springboks win their own group.

Tournament Ramifications

Should the pools conclude in line with the current world rankings, other top favourites like New Zealand and France would remain separated from the likes of the English and Ireland all the way to the final.

Under those circumstances, Argentina would be the other highly-seeded nation on that half of the knockout draw as England and Ireland.

Tournament Hosts Face Blockbuster Fixture

Hosts Australia find themselves together with their trans-Tasman rivals and three-time winners the All Blacks in Group A.

Australia will open the World Cup in Perth on 1 October 2027 in a marquee match designed to launch the event.

In other groups, holders the Springboks have drawn Italy, Georgia and Romania. France are grouped with Japan, future hosts the USA and Samoa.

Larger Tournament for 2027

Los Pumas will take on Fiji, Los Leones and Canada as the tournament expands to twenty-four nations from the 20 who competed in 2023.

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

While the winner of Pool F may be kept apart from some of the game's heavyweights initially, they will meet the runner-up from Pool B – most likely the Italians – in the last 16.

A total of four of the other six group winners will face a third-placed side 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