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The English side and Wales find themselves placed in an identical group for the World Cup in 2027, setting up a highly-anticipated early encounter in Australia. They are joined in Group F by Tonga and the Zimbabwean Sables.

This draw recalls their infamous meeting in the group phase of the 2015 World Cup, where Wales' victory at England's home ground played a part in the English team's shock early exit.

Key Group Draws

Ireland and the Scots have likewise been drawn in a pool together, just as the situation from the 2023 edition. In that tournament, Ireland secured a 36-14 victory, with Scotland failing to advance to the quarter-finals.

Los Teros and Os Lobos, who each impressed as surprise packages in France, complete that Pool D.

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

Tournament Ramifications

If the groups play out in line with the current global standings, further leading contenders like New Zealand and France would also be kept apart from both the English and the Irish until the final.

In that scenario, Los Pumas would be the remaining top-ranked nation on that half of the knockout draw as those northern hemisphere teams.

Hosts Draw Blockbuster Fixture

Tournament hosts the Wallabies have been drawn together with their trans-Tasman rivals and triple champions the All Blacks in Group A.

The Wallabies will kick off the World Cup in Perth on October 1st, 2027 in a blockbuster match aimed at launch the competition.

Elsewhere, holders South Africa have drawn the Azzurri, the Lelos and Romania. France are grouped with the Brave Blossoms, future hosts the USA and Samoa.

Expanded Format for 2027

Argentina will face Fiji, Spain and the Canadian team as the tournament expands to twenty-four nations from the twenty who competed in France.

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

Although the victor of Pool F may avoid some of the game's heavyweights early on, they will meet the second-placed team from Pool B – probably Italy – in the last 16.

A total of four of the remaining six group winners will play 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