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England together with Wales will face off in an identical group for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, setting up a highly-anticipated pool stage encounter in Australia. 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 contributed to the English team's shock group stage elimination.

Other Notable Group Draws

The Irish and the Scots also share a pool once again, replicating the scenario from the France 2023 tournament. On that occasion, Ireland secured a 36-14 win, with Scotland failing to advance to the knockout stages.

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

Significantly, the victors of both Pool D and Pool F cannot meet defending champions and top-ranked the Springboks until the showpiece match, presuming the South Africans win their own group.

Tournament Ramifications

Should the groups play out according to the current global standings, further top favourites like the All Blacks and Les Bleus would also be kept apart from the likes of the English and Ireland all the way to the championship decider.

In that scenario, Argentina would be the other top-ranked nation on the same side of the knockout draw as those northern hemisphere teams.

Tournament Hosts Draw Blockbuster Opener

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

The Wallabies will kick off the World Cup in Perth on 1 October 2027 in a marquee match designed to jump-start the competition.

Elsewhere, holders the Springboks have drawn the Azzurri, Georgia and Romania. The French team are grouped with Japan, future hosts the United States and Manu Samoa.

Expanded Tournament for 2027

Argentina will take on the Flying Fijians, Spain and Canada as the World Cup grows to twenty-four nations from the twenty who competed in France.

This edition will introduce a last-16 stage for the very first time in the competition's history.

While the victor of Pool F may be kept apart from some of the game's heavyweights early on, they will meet the runner-up from Group B – probably Italy – in the first knockout round.

A total of four of the other six group winners will play a third-placed side from the pool stages.

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