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England together with their Welsh counterparts have been drawn in an identical pool for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, setting up a major early encounter in Australia. Completing the group in Pool F by the Tongan Ikale Tahi and the Zimbabwean Sables.

This draw mirrors their infamous clash in the pool stages of the 2015 World Cup, where a Welsh win at Twickenham contributed to the English team's surprise early exit.

Other Notable Group Pairings

The Irish alongside Scotland have likewise been drawn in a group together, just as the scenario from the 2023 edition. In that tournament, they secured a 36-14 victory, with their opponents failing to advance to the quarter-finals.

Los Teros and Portugal, both made a strong impression as surprise packages in France, round out that same group.

Notably, the winners of both Pool D and Pool F are kept apart from holders and top-ranked South Africa before the showpiece match, presuming the Springboks top their own group.

Tournament Implications

If the pools play out according to the current world rankings, further top favourites like the All Blacks and France would remain separated from the likes of the English and Ireland all the way to the championship decider.

In that scenario, Argentina would be the other top-ranked nation on the same half of the knockout draw as England and Ireland.

Hosts Face Blockbuster Opener

Tournament hosts Australia find themselves alongside their trans-Tasman rivals and three-time winners New Zealand in Pool A.

Australia will open the tournament in Perth on October 1st, 2027 in a blockbuster match designed to launch the competition.

In other groups, reigning champions South Africa have been paired with Italy, Georgia and the Oaks. France are grouped with Japan, future hosts the United States and Manu Samoa.

Expanded Tournament for 2027

Los Pumas will take on the Flying Fijians, Spain and Canada as the World Cup grows to 24 teams from the 20 who took part in 2023.

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

While the winner of England and Wales's group may avoid some of the rugby's heavyweights initially, they will meet the runner-up from Group B – most likely the Italians – in the last 16.

Four of the remaining six group winners will face 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