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England together with Wales will face off in the same pool for the World Cup in 2027, setting up a major pool stage encounter in Australia. Completing the group in Group F by Tonga and Zimbabwe.

This draw echoes their famous clash in the group phase of the 2015 World Cup, where Wales' victory at England's home ground contributed to the hosts' shock early exit.

Key Pool Draws

Ireland and the Scots also share a group once again, replicating the situation from the 2023 edition. On that occasion, Ireland claimed a convincing win, with Scotland failing to advance to the quarter-finals.

Los Teros and Portugal, who each made a strong impression as underdogs in the last World Cup, complete that same group.

Significantly, the winners of both Pool D and Pool F are kept apart from holders and top-ranked the Springboks until the showpiece match, presuming the Springboks win their assigned pool.

Knockout Implications

Should the groups conclude in line with the current world rankings, further leading contenders like the All Blacks and France would remain separated from both the English and the Irish all the way to the final.

Under those circumstances, Argentina would be the other top-ranked nation on the same side of the elimination bracket as England and Ireland.

Tournament Hosts Draw Blockbuster Fixture

Hosts the Wallabies have been drawn together with their trans-Tasman rivals and three-time winners the All Blacks in Group A.

Australia will open the tournament in the city of Perth on 1 October 2027 in a marquee match aimed at jump-start the event.

Elsewhere, reigning champions South Africa have been paired with Italy, Georgia and Romania. The French team are grouped with the Brave Blossoms, 2031 hosts the USA and Manu Samoa.

Larger Format for 2027

Los Pumas will face Fiji, Spain and Canada as the tournament grows to twenty-four nations from the 20 who competed in 2023.

This edition will introduce a round of 16 round for the very first time in Rugby World Cup history.

Although the winner of England and Wales's group may avoid some of the rugby's biggest beasts early on, they will have to face the second-placed team from Pool B – most likely Italy – in the last 16.

Four of the remaining six group winners will play a third-placed side 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