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The English side together with Wales have been drawn in the same group for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, promising a highly-anticipated pool stage encounter in the tournament Down Under. Completing the group in Pool F by Tonga and Zimbabwe.

This pairing recalls their infamous meeting in the group phase of the 2015 tournament, where a Welsh win at Twickenham contributed to the English team's shock group stage elimination.

Other Notable Pool Draws

Ireland and the Scots have likewise been drawn in a group once again, replicating the scenario from the 2023 edition. On that occasion, Ireland claimed a 36-14 win, with their opponents failing to advance to the knockout stages.

Los Teros and Portugal, who each made a strong impression as surprise packages in France, round out that same group.

Significantly, the victors of both Pool D and Pool F cannot meet holders and top-ranked South Africa before the showpiece match, presuming the South Africans win their own group.

Knockout Implications

If the pools play out according to the current world rankings, further leading contenders like New Zealand and Les Bleus would also be kept apart from both England and Ireland until the final.

Under those circumstances, Los Pumas would be the other highly-seeded nation on the same side of the elimination bracket as England and Ireland.

Hosts Draw Major Opener

Hosts the Wallabies have been drawn alongside their trans-Tasman rivals and triple champions New Zealand in Group A.

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

Elsewhere, holders South Africa have drawn the Azzurri, the Lelos and the Oaks. France are in a pool with the Brave Blossoms, future hosts the USA and Manu Samoa.

Larger Format for 2027

Argentina will face Fiji, Spain and Canada as the World Cup grows to twenty-four nations from the 20 who took part in 2023.

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

Although the winner of England and Wales's group may be kept apart from some of the game's biggest beasts initially, they will meet the runner-up from Group B – probably Italy – in the first knockout round.

Four of the remaining six group winners will face a third-placed side from the initial group phase.

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