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England and Wales have been drawn in the same group for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, setting up a major pool stage clash in Australia. Completing the group in Pool F by the Tongan Ikale Tahi and the Zimbabwean Sables.

This draw mirrors their memorable clash in the group phase of the 2015 tournament, where Wales' victory at Twickenham contributed to the English team's shock early exit.

Other Notable Group Pairings

Ireland and Scotland have likewise been drawn in a group once again, replicating the scenario from the France 2023 tournament. In that tournament, they claimed a 36-14 victory, with Scotland unable to advance to the quarter-finals.

Uruguay and Portugal, who each made a strong impression as underdogs in the last World Cup, round out that Pool D.

Significantly, the victors of both Pool D and Pool F are kept apart from holders and top-ranked South Africa before the showpiece match, assuming the Springboks top their assigned pool.

Knockout Ramifications

Should the pools play out in line with the current world rankings, other leading contenders like New Zealand and France would also be kept apart from both England and Ireland all the way to the championship decider.

In that scenario, Los Pumas would be the other highly-seeded nation on that side of the knockout draw as those northern hemisphere teams.

Tournament Hosts Face Blockbuster Opener

Hosts the Wallabies find themselves together with their great rivals and three-time winners New Zealand in Pool A.

Australia will open the World Cup in Perth on October 1st, 2027 in a marquee fixture designed to launch the competition.

In other groups, holders South Africa have drawn the Azzurri, the Lelos and Romania. The French team are in a pool with the Brave Blossoms, future hosts the United States and Manu Samoa.

Expanded Format for 2027

Los Pumas will face Fiji, Spain and the Canadian team as the tournament expands to 24 teams from the 20 who took part in 2023.

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

While the winner of England and Wales's group may be kept apart from some of the rugby's biggest beasts initially, they will meet the runner-up from Pool B – probably the Italians – in the last 16.

Four of the other six group winners will face 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