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England together with Wales have been drawn in the same group for the 2027 RWC, promising a highly-anticipated early clash in Australia. They are joined in Group F by the Tongan Ikale Tahi and Zimbabwe.

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

Other Notable Group Draws

Ireland and the Scots also share a group once again, replicating the scenario from the 2023 edition. In that tournament, they claimed a 36-14 victory, with their opponents failing to progress to the quarter-finals.

Uruguay and Portugal, both made a strong impression as surprise packages in the last World Cup, complete that Pool D.

Notably, the winners of both Pool D and Pool F cannot meet defending champions and world number one the Springboks before the final, presuming the Springboks win their assigned pool.

Knockout Ramifications

Should the groups play out in line with the current world rankings, other top favourites like New Zealand and France would also be kept apart from the likes of England and Ireland all the way to the final.

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

Hosts Draw Major Opener

Tournament hosts Australia find themselves alongside their trans-Tasman rivals and triple champions 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 competition.

Elsewhere, reigning champions the Springboks have been paired with the Azzurri, the Lelos and Romania. The French team are grouped with the Brave Blossoms, future hosts the USA and Samoa.

Larger Format for 2027

Argentina will take on the Flying Fijians, Spain and Canada as the World Cup grows to 24 teams from the 20 who took part in France.

The 2027 tournament will feature a round of 16 stage for the very first time in the competition's existence.

While the victor of England and Wales's group may avoid some of the rugby's heavyweights initially, they will have to face the second-placed team from Pool B – most likely Italy – in the first knockout round.

Four of the other six pool winners will play 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