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The English side and their Welsh counterparts will face off in an identical pool for the 2027 RWC, setting up a major early encounter in the tournament Down Under. Completing the group in Pool F by Tonga and the Zimbabwean Sables.

This draw mirrors their memorable clash in the pool stages of the 2015 tournament, where a Welsh win at England's home ground contributed to the hosts' surprise early exit.

Other Notable Group Draws

The Irish alongside the Scots also share a group together, replicating the scenario from the 2023 edition. On that occasion, Ireland secured a convincing victory, with their opponents failing to advance to the knockout stages.

Los Teros and Portugal, both impressed as surprise packages in France, round out that Pool D.

Significantly, the winners of these two groups cannot meet holders and world number one the Springboks before the final, presuming the South Africans win their assigned pool.

Tournament Ramifications

If the pools conclude according to the current global standings, further top favourites like New Zealand and France would remain separated from both the English and Ireland all the way to the championship decider.

Under those circumstances, Argentina would be the other top-ranked nation on the same half of the elimination bracket as England and Ireland.

Hosts Face Blockbuster Fixture

Hosts Australia find themselves together with their great rivals and three-time winners the All Blacks in Group A.

Australia will open the tournament in Perth on 1 October 2027 in a marquee fixture aimed at launch the event.

In other groups, reigning champions South Africa have drawn Italy, Georgia and Romania. France are in a pool with Japan, future hosts the USA and Manu Samoa.

Expanded Tournament for 2027

Argentina will face the Flying Fijians, Los Leones and the Canadian team as the tournament expands to twenty-four nations from the 20 who took part in 2023.

This edition will feature a last-16 round for the first time in Rugby World Cup history.

Although the victor of England and Wales's group may avoid some of the game's biggest beasts early on, they will meet the second-placed team from Group 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.

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