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The English side together with Wales have been drawn in an identical pool for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, promising a highly-anticipated early encounter in the tournament Down Under. They are joined in Group F by Tonga and the Zimbabwean Sables.

This draw mirrors their infamous clash in the pool stages of the 2015 World Cup, where Wales' victory at England's home ground played a part in the English team's surprise early exit.

Other Notable Group Draws

Ireland alongside Scotland also share a pool once again, replicating the scenario from the 2023 edition. On that occasion, they claimed a 36-14 win, with Scotland unable to progress to the knockout stages.

Los Teros and Portugal, who each made a strong impression as underdogs in France, round out that same group.

Significantly, the victors of these two groups are kept apart from holders and top-ranked the Springboks until the final, assuming the Springboks top their own group.

Knockout Implications

If the pools conclude according to the current global standings, other top favourites like New Zealand and France would also be kept apart from both the English and the Irish until the final.

Under those circumstances, Los Pumas would be the other highly-seeded nation on that side of the elimination bracket as England and Ireland.

Tournament Hosts Face Blockbuster Fixture

Tournament hosts Australia find themselves together with their trans-Tasman rivals and three-time winners the All Blacks in Pool A.

Australia will open the World Cup in the city of Perth on 1 October 2027 in a marquee match designed to jump-start the competition.

Elsewhere, holders South Africa have been paired with Italy, the Lelos and Romania. The French team are in a pool with Japan, 2031 hosts the United States and Samoa.

Expanded Format for 2027

Argentina will face the Flying Fijians, Spain and Canada as the tournament expands to 24 teams from the 20 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 be kept apart from some of the game's heavyweights initially, they will meet the runner-up from Group B – probably Italy – in the last 16.

A total of four of the remaining 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