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The English side and Wales find themselves placed in an identical pool for the 2027 RWC, setting up a highly-anticipated early clash in Australia. Completing the group in Group F by Tonga and Zimbabwe.

This draw mirrors their infamous clash in the pool stages of the 2015 tournament, where Wales' victory at England's home ground contributed to the hosts' surprise early exit.

Key Group Draws

Ireland alongside the Scots also share a group once again, just as the situation from the 2023 edition. On that occasion, Ireland secured a convincing win, with their opponents unable to progress to the knockout stages.

Uruguay and Os Lobos, both impressed as surprise packages in the last World Cup, round out that same group.

Notably, the victors of both Pool D and Pool F cannot meet holders and top-ranked South Africa before the showpiece match, assuming the Springboks top their assigned pool.

Tournament Ramifications

If the groups play out according to the current world rankings, further top favourites like New Zealand and Les Bleus would also be kept apart from the likes of England and the Irish until the championship decider.

Under those circumstances, Argentina would be the other highly-seeded nation on that side of the knockout draw as England and Ireland.

Hosts Face Blockbuster Fixture

Hosts Australia find themselves together with their trans-Tasman rivals and triple champions New Zealand in Pool A.

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

Elsewhere, reigning champions South Africa have drawn the Azzurri, Georgia and the Oaks. France are in a pool with the Brave Blossoms, future hosts the USA and Manu Samoa.

Expanded Format for 2027

Argentina will face the Flying Fijians, Los Leones and Canada as the tournament grows 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 Rugby World Cup existence.

While the victor of England and Wales's group may be kept apart from some of the rugby's heavyweights initially, they will meet the second-placed team from Group B – most likely Italy – in the last 16.

A total of four of the other six pool 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