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England and their Welsh counterparts find themselves placed in the same pool for the 2027 RWC, setting up a highly-anticipated early encounter in Australia. They are joined in Pool F by the Tongan Ikale Tahi and the Zimbabwean Sables.

This pairing echoes their infamous meeting in the group phase of the 2015 World Cup, where a Welsh win at England's home ground played a part in the hosts' surprise early exit.

Other Notable Group Draws

The Irish and Scotland also share a group once again, replicating the situation from the France 2023 tournament. In that tournament, Ireland secured a convincing victory, with their opponents failing to progress to the knockout stages.

Los Teros and Portugal, who each impressed as surprise packages in France, complete that Pool D.

Significantly, the victors of both Pool D and Pool F are kept apart from holders and top-ranked South Africa until the showpiece match, presuming the South Africans top their assigned pool.

Tournament Ramifications

Should the pools conclude in line with the current world rankings, further leading contenders 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 final.

In that scenario, Argentina would be the remaining top-ranked nation on the same side of the elimination bracket as England and Ireland.

Tournament Hosts Face Blockbuster Fixture

Tournament hosts Australia have been drawn together with their great rivals and three-time winners the All Blacks in Group A.

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

Elsewhere, holders South Africa have been paired with the Azzurri, the Lelos and the Oaks. The French team are in a pool with Japan, 2031 hosts the USA and Samoa.

Larger Format for 2027

Los Pumas will face Fiji, Spain and Canada as the tournament grows to 24 teams from the twenty who took part in France.

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

Although the winner of Pool F may avoid some of the rugby's heavyweights early on, they will have to face the runner-up from Pool B – most likely Italy – in the last 16.

A total of four of the other six pool winners will play a team that finished third 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