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The English side together with their Welsh counterparts find themselves placed in an identical pool for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, promising a major early encounter in Australia. They are joined in Group F by Tonga and Zimbabwe.

This pairing mirrors their memorable clash in the group phase of the 2015 World Cup, where Wales' victory at England's home ground contributed to the hosts' shock group stage elimination.

Other Notable Pool Pairings

The Irish alongside the Scots also share a group once again, just as the situation from the 2023 edition. On that occasion, Ireland claimed a 36-14 win, with Scotland failing to progress to the knockout stages.

Uruguay and Os Lobos, who each made a strong impression as underdogs in the last World Cup, round out that same group.

Notably, the victors of these two groups cannot meet defending champions and world number one South Africa before the showpiece match, presuming the Springboks win their own group.

Tournament Ramifications

Should the pools conclude according to the current global standings, further top favourites like New Zealand and France would also be kept apart from the likes of England 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 knockout draw as England and Ireland.

Hosts Face Major Fixture

Hosts the Wallabies have been drawn alongside their great rivals and three-time winners New Zealand in Group A.

The Wallabies will open the World Cup in the city of Perth on October 1st, 2027 in a blockbuster match aimed at jump-start the event.

In other groups, reigning champions South Africa have been paired with Italy, the Lelos and the Oaks. The French team are in a pool with Japan, 2031 hosts the United States and Samoa.

Larger Tournament for 2027

Argentina will take on the Flying Fijians, Los Leones and Canada as the World Cup expands to twenty-four nations from the 20 who took part in 2023.

This edition will feature a last-16 stage for the first time in Rugby World Cup history.

Although the winner of England and Wales's group may avoid some of the rugby's heavyweights initially, they will meet the second-placed team from Group B – probably Italy – in the last 16.

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