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England and their Welsh counterparts have been drawn in an identical group for the 2027 RWC, setting up a highly-anticipated pool stage clash in the tournament Down Under. Completing the group in Group F by Tonga and Zimbabwe.

This pairing echoes their memorable clash in the group phase of the 2015 World Cup, where Wales' victory at Twickenham played a part in the English team's shock group stage elimination.

Other Notable Group Draws

The Irish alongside the Scots have likewise been drawn in a group together, replicating the scenario from the France 2023 tournament. In that tournament, Ireland secured a 36-14 win, with their opponents unable to progress to the quarter-finals.

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

Notably, the victors of both Pool D and Pool F cannot meet defending champions and top-ranked South Africa until the showpiece match, assuming the Springboks top their assigned pool.

Knockout Ramifications

Should the groups conclude in line with the current world rankings, further top favourites like New Zealand and France would remain separated from both England and the Irish until the final.

Under those circumstances, Argentina would be the other top-ranked nation on the same side of the knockout draw as England and Ireland.

Hosts Draw Major Fixture

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

Australia will open the World Cup in Perth on 1 October 2027 in a marquee match aimed at launch the event.

In other groups, holders South Africa have been paired with the Azzurri, Georgia and Romania. France are grouped with Japan, 2031 hosts the USA and Samoa.

Larger Tournament for 2027

Argentina will take on the Flying Fijians, Los Leones and the Canadian team as the World Cup grows to 24 teams from the twenty who competed in France.

The 2027 tournament will feature a round of 16 round for the very first time in Rugby World Cup existence.

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

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