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England together with their Welsh counterparts find themselves placed in the same group for the World Cup in 2027, setting up a highly-anticipated early encounter in the tournament Down Under. Completing the group in Pool F by Tonga and Zimbabwe.

This draw recalls their famous meeting in the group phase of the 2015 tournament, where Wales' victory at England's home ground contributed to the hosts' shock early exit.

Key Group Pairings

Ireland and the Scots also share a group once again, just as the situation from the France 2023 tournament. On that occasion, Ireland secured a convincing win, with Scotland unable to advance to the quarter-finals.

Los Teros and Os Lobos, both made a strong impression as surprise packages in the last World Cup, round out that same group.

Significantly, the victors of both Pool D and Pool F are kept apart from holders and world number one the Springboks until the final, presuming the Springboks top their own group.

Knockout Implications

Should the groups conclude in line with the current world rankings, further top favourites like New Zealand and France would remain separated from the likes of England and the Irish until the championship decider.

In that scenario, Argentina would be the remaining highly-seeded nation on that half of the knockout draw as those northern hemisphere teams.

Hosts Face Major Opener

Tournament hosts the Wallabies find themselves alongside their trans-Tasman rivals and triple champions New Zealand in Pool A.

Australia will open the World Cup in Perth on 1 October 2027 in a blockbuster match aimed at launch the competition.

In other groups, reigning champions South Africa have been paired with the Azzurri, Georgia and the Oaks. The French team are in a pool with Japan, future hosts the USA and Samoa.

Larger Format for 2027

Los Pumas will take on Fiji, Spain and the Canadian team as the World Cup grows to 24 teams from the twenty who took part in 2023.

This edition will feature a last-16 stage for the first time in the competition's history.

While the victor of England and Wales's group may avoid some of the rugby's heavyweights early on, they will meet the second-placed team from Pool B – most likely Italy – in the last 16.

Four of the remaining six pool winners will play 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