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England and Wales will face off in an identical pool for the World Cup in 2027, promising a highly-anticipated early encounter in the tournament Down Under. Completing the group in Pool F by Tonga and the Zimbabwean Sables.

This pairing mirrors their infamous meeting in the group phase of the 2015 World Cup, where Wales' victory at England's home ground contributed to the English team's surprise group stage elimination.

Key Pool Draws

Ireland alongside the Scots also share a pool once again, 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 knockout stages.

Los Teros and Portugal, both made a strong impression as surprise packages in France, complete that same group.

Notably, the victors of these two groups are kept apart from holders and top-ranked the Springboks until the final, assuming the South Africans win their own group.

Tournament Ramifications

Should the groups conclude in line with the current world rankings, other leading contenders like New Zealand and France would also be kept apart from the likes of England 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 those northern hemisphere teams.

Hosts Face Major Opener

Hosts the Wallabies find themselves alongside their great rivals and triple champions New Zealand in Pool A.

Australia will kick off the tournament in Perth on 1 October 2027 in a blockbuster fixture designed to jump-start the event.

Elsewhere, holders the Springboks have drawn the Azzurri, the Lelos and the Oaks. France are in a pool with the Brave Blossoms, 2031 hosts the United States and Manu Samoa.

Expanded Tournament for 2027

Los Pumas will face Fiji, Los Leones and Canada as the World Cup expands to 24 teams from the 20 who competed in 2023.

This edition will introduce a last-16 round for the first time in the competition's history.

While the winner of England and Wales's group may avoid some of the rugby's biggest beasts initially, they will meet the runner-up from Group B – probably Italy – in the last 16.

A total of four of the remaining six group winners will play a third-placed side 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