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England together with their Welsh counterparts find themselves placed in an identical pool for the World Cup in 2027, setting up a major pool stage encounter in Australia. They are joined in Pool F by Tonga and the Zimbabwean Sables.

This draw recalls their memorable clash in the pool stages of the 2015 tournament, where a Welsh win at England's home ground contributed to the hosts' shock group stage elimination.

Other Notable Group Draws

Ireland alongside the Scots have likewise been drawn in a pool together, replicating the scenario from the France 2023 tournament. On that occasion, Ireland secured a 36-14 win, with their opponents unable to progress to the knockout stages.

Uruguay and Os Lobos, who each made a strong impression as surprise packages in the last World Cup, complete that same group.

Notably, the victors of these two groups cannot meet defending champions and world number one South Africa until the final, assuming the South Africans win their own group.

Knockout Ramifications

Should the groups conclude in line with the current global standings, other top favourites like the All Blacks and France would also be kept apart from both England and Ireland until the championship decider.

Under those circumstances, Los Pumas would be the remaining top-ranked nation on that half of the elimination bracket as England and Ireland.

Tournament Hosts Face Major Opener

Tournament hosts the Wallabies have been drawn alongside their great rivals and three-time winners New Zealand in Group A.

The Wallabies will kick off the tournament in the city of Perth on 1 October 2027 in a blockbuster match aimed at jump-start the competition.

Elsewhere, holders South Africa have drawn Italy, the Lelos and Romania. France are in a pool with Japan, future hosts the United States and Samoa.

Larger Tournament for 2027

Los Pumas will face the Flying Fijians, Los Leones and Canada as the World Cup grows to twenty-four nations from the 20 who competed in 2023.

The 2027 tournament will introduce a last-16 stage for the very first time in the competition's history.

Although the victor of England and Wales's group may avoid some of the rugby's biggest beasts initially, they will meet the runner-up from Group B – most likely Italy – in the last 16.

A total of four of the remaining six pool winners will play a third-placed side from the pool stages.

RWC 2027 Groups

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