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The English side together with their Welsh counterparts will face off in an identical group for the 2027 RWC, promising a major pool stage encounter in Australia. Completing the group in Group F by the Tongan Ikale Tahi and the Zimbabwean Sables.

This pairing mirrors their infamous meeting in the group phase of the 2015 tournament, where Wales' victory at England's home ground played a part in the hosts' surprise group stage elimination.

Key Pool Draws

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

Uruguay and Portugal, who each impressed as surprise packages in the last World Cup, complete that Pool D.

Significantly, the victors of these two groups are kept apart from holders and world number one the Springboks before the showpiece match, presuming the Springboks win their own group.

Tournament Ramifications

If the groups play out according to the current world rankings, further top favourites like the All Blacks and France would remain separated from both England and the Irish all the way to the final.

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

Hosts Face Major Fixture

Hosts the Wallabies find themselves alongside their great rivals and triple champions the All Blacks in Group A.

The Wallabies will kick off the tournament in the city of Perth on 1 October 2027 in a marquee match aimed at launch the competition.

Elsewhere, holders the Springboks have drawn Italy, Georgia and the Oaks. France are grouped with the Brave Blossoms, 2031 hosts the United States and Manu Samoa.

Larger Tournament for 2027

Argentina will face the Flying Fijians, Los Leones and the Canadian team as the World Cup grows to twenty-four nations from the 20 who competed in 2023.

The 2027 tournament will introduce a round of 16 round for the first time in the competition's existence.

Although the victor of England and Wales's group may be kept apart from some of the game's heavyweights initially, they will have to face the second-placed team from Group B – probably the Italians – in the first knockout round.

Four of the remaining 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