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The English side together with Wales will face off in an identical pool for the 2027 RWC, promising a major early encounter in the tournament Down Under. They are joined in Group F by the Tongan Ikale Tahi and Zimbabwe.

This draw recalls their infamous meeting in the pool stages of the 2015 tournament, where a Welsh win at Twickenham contributed to the hosts' surprise early exit.

Key Pool Draws

The Irish and Scotland have likewise been drawn in a group together, just as the situation from the 2023 edition. On that occasion, Ireland claimed a 36-14 victory, with Scotland unable to advance to the quarter-finals.

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

Significantly, the victors of these two groups are kept apart from defending champions and top-ranked the Springboks before the final, assuming the South Africans win their assigned pool.

Knockout Ramifications

If the groups conclude in line with the current world rankings, other top favourites like New Zealand and Les Bleus would also be kept apart from the likes of the English and the Irish all the way to the championship decider.

In that scenario, Los Pumas would be the other highly-seeded nation on the same side of the elimination bracket as England and Ireland.

Hosts Face Major Opener

Hosts Australia find themselves together with their great rivals and triple champions the All Blacks in Pool A.

Australia will open the tournament in Perth on October 1st, 2027 in a marquee fixture aimed at launch the event.

Elsewhere, holders South Africa have drawn Italy, Georgia and Romania. France are grouped with the Brave Blossoms, 2031 hosts the United States and Samoa.

Expanded Format for 2027

Argentina will face Fiji, Los Leones and Canada as the World Cup grows to 24 teams from the 20 who took part in 2023.

The 2027 tournament will feature a last-16 stage for the very first time in Rugby World Cup existence.

While the winner of England and Wales's group may be kept apart from some of the game'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 remaining 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