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England together with Wales find themselves placed in the same group for the World Cup in 2027, setting up a highly-anticipated early encounter in Australia. They are joined in Pool F by Tonga and Zimbabwe.

This draw echoes their memorable clash in the group phase of the 2015 World Cup, where Wales' victory at England's home ground contributed to the hosts' surprise group stage elimination.

Other Notable Group Pairings

Ireland and Scotland have likewise been drawn in a pool once again, replicating the situation from the France 2023 tournament. In that tournament, they claimed a convincing victory, with their opponents failing to progress to the quarter-finals.

Uruguay and Os Lobos, who each made a strong impression as surprise packages in France, round out that Pool D.

Notably, the winners of these two groups cannot meet defending champions and world number one South Africa before the showpiece match, assuming the South Africans top their assigned pool.

Tournament Implications

Should the pools conclude according to the current world rankings, other leading contenders like the All Blacks and France would remain separated from both the English and Ireland all the way to the championship decider.

In that scenario, Los Pumas would be the other top-ranked nation on the same half of the knockout draw as England and Ireland.

Hosts Face Major Fixture

Tournament hosts Australia have been drawn alongside their trans-Tasman rivals and three-time winners the All Blacks in Pool A.

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

Elsewhere, holders the Springboks have been paired with the Azzurri, the Lelos and the Oaks. France are grouped with Japan, future hosts the USA and Manu Samoa.

Larger Tournament for 2027

Argentina will take on the Flying Fijians, Los Leones and the Canadian team as the World Cup grows to twenty-four nations from the 20 who competed in France.

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

While the victor of England and Wales's group may avoid some of the rugby's heavyweights early on, they will meet the runner-up from Group B – most likely the Italians – in the last 16.

A total of four of the remaining six group 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