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The English side and their Welsh counterparts have been drawn in an identical group for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, promising a highly-anticipated early encounter in the tournament Down Under. Completing the group in Group F by Tonga and the Zimbabwean Sables.

This pairing recalls their memorable meeting 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 Pool Draws

Ireland alongside the Scots have likewise been drawn in a pool together, just as the scenario from the 2023 edition. In that tournament, they claimed a 36-14 win, with their opponents unable to advance to the quarter-finals.

Los Teros and Os Lobos, both impressed as underdogs in France, 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 Springboks top their own group.

Tournament Ramifications

If the pools conclude according to the current world rankings, other leading contenders like the All Blacks and France would remain separated from both England and the Irish until the championship decider.

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

Hosts Draw Blockbuster Fixture

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

The Wallabies will kick off the tournament in the city of Perth on 1 October 2027 in a blockbuster fixture designed to jump-start the competition.

Elsewhere, holders the Springboks have been paired with the Azzurri, Georgia and Romania. France are grouped with Japan, 2031 hosts the United States and Manu Samoa.

Larger Format for 2027

Los Pumas will face Fiji, 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 round for the first time in Rugby World Cup history.

Although the winner of Pool F may avoid some of the game's biggest beasts early on, they will have to face the second-placed team from Group B – most likely Italy – in the first knockout round.

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

Rugby World Cup 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