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England together with their Welsh counterparts find themselves placed in the same pool for the World Cup in 2027, promising a major early clash in the tournament Down Under. Completing the group in Group F by Tonga and the Zimbabwean Sables.

This draw recalls their infamous meeting in the group phase of the 2015 tournament, where a Welsh win at England's home ground contributed to the English team's shock group stage elimination.

Key Group Pairings

The Irish and the Scots also share a pool together, replicating the situation from the 2023 edition. On that occasion, they secured a convincing victory, with their opponents failing to progress to the quarter-finals.

Uruguay and Os Lobos, who each made a strong impression as underdogs in France, complete that Pool D.

Significantly, the victors of both Pool D and Pool F cannot meet holders and world number one the Springboks before the showpiece match, assuming the South Africans win their assigned pool.

Knockout Ramifications

If the groups play out according to the current world rankings, other leading contenders like New Zealand and Les Bleus would also be kept apart from the likes of England and Ireland all the way to the final.

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

Hosts Face Major Fixture

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

The Wallabies will open the World Cup in the city of Perth on 1 October 2027 in a blockbuster match aimed at launch the event.

In other groups, reigning champions the Springboks have drawn Italy, Georgia and the Oaks. France are grouped with Japan, 2031 hosts the USA and Manu Samoa.

Expanded Tournament for 2027

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

The 2027 tournament will introduce a last-16 round for the very first time in Rugby World Cup existence.

While the winner of Pool F may be kept apart from some of the rugby's heavyweights initially, they will have to face the second-placed team from Group B – probably Italy – in the first knockout round.

Four of the other six pool winners will face 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