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The English side and Wales find themselves placed in an identical group for the 2027 RWC, promising a major early encounter in Australia. Completing the group in Pool F by the Tongan Ikale Tahi and the Zimbabwean Sables.

This draw mirrors their infamous clash in the group phase of the 2015 tournament, where Wales' victory at Twickenham played a part in the English team's surprise group stage elimination.

Other Notable Pool Draws

Ireland alongside the Scots have likewise been drawn in a group together, just as the scenario from the 2023 edition. On that occasion, Ireland claimed a convincing victory, with their opponents unable to progress to the knockout stages.

Uruguay and Portugal, who each impressed as surprise packages in France, round out that Pool D.

Significantly, the victors of these two groups cannot meet holders and top-ranked South Africa until the final, assuming the South Africans win their assigned pool.

Tournament Implications

If the groups play out in line with the current world rankings, further top favourites like New Zealand and Les Bleus would also be kept apart from both the English and the Irish until the final.

In that scenario, Los Pumas would be the other top-ranked nation on that side of the elimination bracket as England and Ireland.

Tournament Hosts Draw Blockbuster Fixture

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

Australia will kick off the tournament in Perth on October 1st, 2027 in a marquee match aimed at launch the event.

In other groups, holders South Africa have drawn the Azzurri, the Lelos and the Oaks. France are grouped with the Brave Blossoms, 2031 hosts the United States and Samoa.

Expanded Tournament for 2027

Argentina will take on Fiji, Spain and Canada as the World Cup grows to 24 teams from the 20 who took part in France.

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

Although the victor of England and Wales's group may avoid some of the game's biggest beasts early on, they will meet the second-placed team from Group B – probably Italy – in the last 16.

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