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The English side and Wales have been drawn in an identical pool for the 2027 RWC, setting up a major early encounter in the tournament Down Under. They are joined in Pool F by the Tongan Ikale Tahi and Zimbabwe.

This pairing recalls their infamous meeting in the group phase of the 2015 tournament, where Wales' victory at England's home ground played a part in the hosts' shock group stage elimination.

Other Notable Group Pairings

The Irish alongside Scotland also share a pool once again, just as the scenario from the 2023 edition. In that tournament, they secured a convincing victory, with Scotland failing to progress to the quarter-finals.

Uruguay and Portugal, both made a strong impression as underdogs in France, complete that Pool D.

Notably, the winners of these two groups are kept apart from holders and world number one the Springboks before the final, assuming the South Africans win their assigned pool.

Knockout Ramifications

Should the groups play out according to the current world rankings, further leading contenders like New Zealand and Les Bleus would remain separated from the likes of England and the Irish until the final.

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

Tournament Hosts Face Major Opener

Tournament hosts Australia find themselves alongside their trans-Tasman rivals and triple champions New Zealand in Pool A.

The Wallabies will kick off the World Cup in the city of Perth on 1 October 2027 in a marquee match designed to launch the competition.

Elsewhere, holders South Africa have drawn the Azzurri, the Lelos and the Oaks. The French team are grouped with Japan, 2031 hosts the USA and Samoa.

Larger Tournament for 2027

Argentina will face the Flying Fijians, Spain and the Canadian team as the tournament expands to 24 teams from the 20 who took part in 2023.

This edition will feature a round of 16 round for the very first time in the competition's history.

Although the victor of England and Wales's group may be kept apart from some of the game's biggest beasts initially, they will meet the second-placed team from Pool B – probably Italy – in the first knockout round.

Four of the other six pool winners will face a third-placed side from the initial group phase.

RWC 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