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England and Wales find themselves placed in the same group for the World Cup in 2027, setting up a major early clash in the tournament Down Under. Completing the group in Group F by the Tongan Ikale Tahi and Zimbabwe.

This draw echoes their famous clash in the pool stages of the 2015 tournament, where Wales' victory at Twickenham played a part in the hosts' surprise group stage elimination.

Key Pool Pairings

The Irish and the Scots also share a group together, replicating the situation from the 2023 edition. On that occasion, Ireland claimed a convincing victory, with Scotland failing to progress to the quarter-finals.

Uruguay and Os Lobos, both made a strong impression as surprise packages in the last World Cup, complete that Pool D.

Notably, the winners of these two groups are kept apart from holders and world number one the Springboks before the showpiece match, assuming the South Africans top their own group.

Tournament Ramifications

Should the groups play out according to the current world rankings, further leading contenders like the All Blacks and France would remain separated from the likes of the English and Ireland until the final.

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

Tournament Hosts Face Major Fixture

Hosts Australia find themselves together with their great rivals and triple champions New Zealand in Pool A.

Australia will kick off the tournament in the city of Perth on 1 October 2027 in a marquee match aimed at launch the competition.

In other groups, holders South Africa have drawn Italy, Georgia and Romania. The French team are in a pool with the Brave Blossoms, 2031 hosts the United States and Manu Samoa.

Larger Tournament for 2027

Argentina will take on the Flying Fijians, Spain and Canada as the World Cup expands to 24 teams from the 20 who competed in 2023.

This edition will introduce a round of 16 stage for the first time in Rugby World Cup history.

While the victor of Pool F may avoid some of the rugby's heavyweights early on, they will have to face the second-placed team from Group B – probably the Italians – in the last 16.

Four of the other six group winners will play a third-placed side from the pool stages.

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