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The English side and Wales have been drawn in the same pool for the World Cup in 2027, promising a highly-anticipated early encounter in the tournament Down Under. They are joined in Pool F by the Tongan Ikale Tahi and the Zimbabwean Sables.

This draw echoes their memorable clash in the group phase of the 2015 tournament, where a Welsh win at England's home ground contributed to the hosts' shock group stage elimination.

Other Notable Group Pairings

The Irish alongside the Scots have likewise been drawn in a group together, replicating the situation from the 2023 edition. On that occasion, they secured a convincing victory, with Scotland failing to advance to the quarter-finals.

Los Teros and Portugal, both made a strong impression as underdogs in the last World Cup, round out that same group.

Notably, the winners of these two groups cannot meet holders and world number one the Springboks before the showpiece match, assuming the South Africans top their own group.

Knockout Implications

If the groups conclude in line with the current world rankings, other leading contenders like the All Blacks and France would remain separated from the likes of England and the Irish all the way to the championship decider.

In that scenario, Los Pumas would be the remaining top-ranked nation on that half of the elimination bracket as those northern hemisphere teams.

Hosts Face Major Opener

Hosts Australia find themselves together with their great rivals and three-time winners New Zealand in Group A.

The Wallabies will open the tournament in the city of Perth on 1 October 2027 in a marquee fixture aimed at jump-start the event.

In other groups, reigning champions South Africa have drawn Italy, Georgia and the Oaks. France are grouped with the Brave Blossoms, future hosts the United States and Manu Samoa.

Expanded Format for 2027

Argentina will face Fiji, Los Leones and the Canadian team as the World Cup grows to 24 teams from the twenty who took part in 2023.

The 2027 tournament will feature a last-16 stage for the first time in the competition's existence.

While the winner of Pool F may be kept apart from some of the rugby's biggest beasts initially, they will have to face the second-placed team from Group B – probably Italy – in the last 16.

A total of four of the remaining six group winners will play a team that finished third from the initial group phase.

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