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England and their Welsh counterparts have been drawn in an identical group for the World Cup in 2027, promising a highly-anticipated early encounter in Australia. Completing the group in Pool F by Tonga and Zimbabwe.

This draw echoes their famous clash in the pool stages of the 2015 tournament, where Wales' victory at Twickenham contributed to the hosts' shock early exit.

Other Notable Group Draws

Ireland and Scotland have likewise been drawn in a group once again, replicating the situation from the 2023 edition. In that tournament, they claimed a 36-14 win, with their opponents failing to advance to the knockout stages.

Uruguay and Os Lobos, both impressed as surprise packages in France, round out that Pool D.

Notably, the victors of both Pool D and Pool F cannot meet defending champions and top-ranked the Springboks before the final, presuming the Springboks top their own group.

Tournament Ramifications

Should the pools play out according to the current global standings, other top favourites like New Zealand and France would remain separated from the likes of the English and Ireland all the way to the championship decider.

In that scenario, Los Pumas would be the other highly-seeded nation on that side of the elimination bracket as those northern hemisphere teams.

Tournament Hosts Face Blockbuster Fixture

Hosts Australia have been drawn together with their great rivals and three-time winners New Zealand in Group A.

The Wallabies will open the World Cup in Perth on October 1st, 2027 in a marquee match aimed at launch the competition.

In other groups, reigning champions the Springboks have drawn Italy, the Lelos and Romania. The French team are grouped with the Brave Blossoms, 2031 hosts the United States and Manu Samoa.

Larger Format for 2027

Los Pumas will take on the Flying Fijians, Los Leones and Canada as the World Cup grows to 24 teams from the twenty who took part in France.

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

While the victor of England and Wales's group may avoid some of the game's biggest beasts early on, they will meet the runner-up from Pool B – most likely Italy – in the first knockout round.

A total of four of the remaining six pool winners will face a team that finished third 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