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England together with their Welsh counterparts have been drawn in an identical group for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, promising a major pool stage encounter in the tournament Down Under. They are joined in Pool F by the Tongan Ikale Tahi 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 English team's surprise group stage elimination.

Key Pool Pairings

Ireland alongside Scotland also share a group together, replicating the scenario from the France 2023 tournament. In that tournament, they secured a 36-14 victory, with their opponents failing to progress to the knockout stages.

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

Notably, the winners of both Pool D and Pool F are kept apart from holders and world number one South Africa until the showpiece match, presuming the Springboks top their assigned pool.

Knockout Ramifications

If the pools conclude in line with the current global standings, other leading contenders like the All Blacks and Les Bleus would remain separated from the likes of England and the Irish until the championship decider.

In that scenario, Argentina would be the remaining top-ranked nation on the same half of the elimination bracket as England and Ireland.

Tournament Hosts Draw Major Opener

Tournament hosts Australia have been drawn together with their great rivals and triple champions the All Blacks in Group A.

Australia will kick off the tournament in Perth on October 1st, 2027 in a marquee fixture aimed at launch the competition.

Elsewhere, reigning champions the Springboks have been paired with Italy, Georgia and Romania. The French team are grouped with Japan, 2031 hosts the USA and Manu Samoa.

Expanded Tournament for 2027

Argentina will take on Fiji, Spain and the Canadian team as the tournament grows to twenty-four nations from the twenty who competed in 2023.

This edition will introduce a round of 16 stage for the first time in the competition's history.

Although the winner of England and Wales's group may be kept apart from some of the rugby's biggest beasts initially, they will have to face the second-placed team from Pool B – probably Italy – in the first knockout round.

A total of four of the other six group winners will face a team that finished third 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