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The English side and their Welsh counterparts have been drawn in the same group for the World Cup in 2027, setting up a major early clash in the tournament Down Under. They are joined in Pool F by Tonga and Zimbabwe.

This pairing echoes their infamous clash in the group phase of the 2015 tournament, where a Welsh win at England's home ground contributed to the English team's shock group stage elimination.

Other Notable Group Pairings

The Irish alongside the Scots have likewise been drawn in a pool together, replicating the situation from the 2023 edition. In that tournament, Ireland claimed a 36-14 victory, with Scotland failing to advance to the knockout stages.

Los Teros and Portugal, both impressed as underdogs in the last World Cup, complete that same group.

Notably, the victors of these two groups are kept apart from defending champions and world number one the Springboks until the final, assuming the Springboks win their own group.

Tournament Implications

If the pools play out according to the current global standings, further top favourites like New Zealand and Les Bleus would remain separated from the likes of England and the Irish all the way to the championship decider.

In that scenario, Argentina would be the remaining highly-seeded nation on the same half of the knockout draw as England and Ireland.

Hosts Draw Major Opener

Tournament hosts the Wallabies find themselves together with their great rivals and three-time winners New Zealand in Pool A.

Australia will kick off the tournament in Perth on October 1st, 2027 in a marquee fixture designed to jump-start the competition.

Elsewhere, reigning champions the Springboks have drawn the Azzurri, Georgia and the Oaks. France are grouped with the Brave Blossoms, 2031 hosts the USA and Manu Samoa.

Larger Format for 2027

Los Pumas will take on Fiji, Los Leones and Canada as the World Cup expands to 24 teams from the 20 who took part in 2023.

This edition will introduce a last-16 stage for the first time in the competition's existence.

Although the victor of Pool F may avoid some of the rugby's biggest beasts early on, they will have to face the runner-up from Group B – probably Italy – in the first knockout round.

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