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England together with Wales have been drawn in the same pool for the 2027 RWC, promising a major early encounter in Australia. Completing the group in Group F by the Tongan Ikale Tahi and Zimbabwe.

This draw recalls their famous clash in the group phase of the 2015 tournament, where Wales' victory at Twickenham played a part in the hosts' shock early exit.

Other Notable Pool Pairings

Ireland and the Scots also share a group together, just as the scenario from the 2023 edition. In that tournament, Ireland claimed a convincing win, with their opponents failing to advance to the quarter-finals.

Uruguay and Portugal, both impressed as underdogs in France, complete that Pool D.

Notably, the victors of these two groups are kept apart from holders and top-ranked South Africa until the final, presuming the Springboks win their assigned pool.

Knockout Implications

Should the pools conclude according to the current world rankings, further top favourites like New Zealand and France would remain separated from both the English and the Irish all the way to the championship decider.

In that scenario, Argentina would be the other top-ranked nation on that side of the elimination bracket as England and Ireland.

Tournament Hosts Face Major Fixture

Tournament hosts Australia have been drawn together with their great 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 blockbuster match designed to jump-start the event.

Elsewhere, reigning champions the Springboks have been paired with the Azzurri, the Lelos and Romania. France are grouped with Japan, 2031 hosts the United States and Samoa.

Larger Tournament for 2027

Argentina will face the Flying Fijians, Spain and the Canadian team as the World Cup expands to 24 teams from the twenty who took part in France.

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

Although the winner of Pool F may avoid some of the game's heavyweights initially, they will have to face the runner-up from Group B – probably Italy – in the first knockout round.

A total of four of the other six group winners will play a team that finished third from the initial group phase.

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