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England and Wales will face off in the same pool for the World Cup in 2027, setting up a major early clash in Australia. They are joined in Pool F by Tonga and the Zimbabwean Sables.

This draw recalls their memorable clash in the pool stages of the 2015 tournament, where Wales' victory at Twickenham played a part in the hosts' surprise early exit.

Other Notable Pool Pairings

The Irish alongside the Scots have likewise been drawn in a group together, just as the scenario from the France 2023 tournament. In that tournament, they claimed a 36-14 win, with their opponents failing to progress to the knockout stages.

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

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

Tournament Ramifications

Should the pools play out in line with the current global standings, further top favourites like New Zealand and France would remain separated from both the English and Ireland all the way to the championship decider.

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

Tournament Hosts Draw Blockbuster Opener

Tournament hosts Australia find themselves together with their great rivals and triple champions New Zealand in Group A.

Australia will open the tournament in Perth on October 1st, 2027 in a blockbuster match designed to jump-start the event.

Elsewhere, reigning champions South Africa have drawn the Azzurri, Georgia and the Oaks. The French team are in a pool with Japan, future hosts the United States and Manu Samoa.

Larger Tournament for 2027

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

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

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

Four of the other six group winners will face a third-placed side 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