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The English side together with Wales will face off in an identical group for the World Cup in 2027, setting up a major early clash in Australia. Completing the group in Group F by Tonga and the Zimbabwean Sables.

This pairing echoes their infamous clash in the pool stages of the 2015 World Cup, where a Welsh win at England's home ground contributed to the hosts' shock group stage elimination.

Key Group Draws

The Irish alongside the Scots have likewise been drawn in a group together, just as the situation from the France 2023 tournament. On that occasion, Ireland secured a 36-14 victory, with their opponents failing to progress to the knockout stages.

Los Teros and Os Lobos, both made a strong impression as underdogs in France, complete that Pool D.

Notably, the victors of these two groups cannot meet holders and top-ranked South Africa before the final, presuming the Springboks win their own group.

Knockout Implications

If the pools play out according to the current world rankings, further leading contenders like New Zealand and France would remain separated from the likes of England and the Irish until the championship decider.

Under those circumstances, Los Pumas would be the remaining top-ranked nation on that half of the elimination bracket as England and Ireland.

Hosts Face Blockbuster Opener

Tournament hosts the Wallabies find themselves alongside their trans-Tasman rivals and triple champions the All Blacks in Group A.

The Wallabies will open the tournament in the city of Perth on 1 October 2027 in a blockbuster fixture aimed at jump-start the competition.

In other groups, holders the Springboks have been paired with the Azzurri, Georgia and Romania. France are in a pool with the Brave Blossoms, future hosts the United States and Samoa.

Larger Tournament for 2027

Argentina will face Fiji, Los Leones and Canada as the World Cup grows to twenty-four nations from the 20 who competed in France.

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

While the victor of England and Wales's group may avoid some of the rugby's biggest beasts early on, they will have to face the runner-up from Group B – probably Italy – in the last 16.

Four of the other 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