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The English side and Wales have been drawn in an identical group for the 2027 RWC, promising a highly-anticipated pool stage clash in the tournament Down Under. They are joined in Group F by the Tongan Ikale Tahi and Zimbabwe.

This draw mirrors their famous clash in the group phase of the 2015 tournament, where a Welsh win at England's home ground contributed to the English team's shock early exit.

Key Pool Draws

The Irish and the Scots have likewise been drawn in a pool once again, replicating the scenario from the France 2023 tournament. In that tournament, they claimed a 36-14 win, with their opponents failing to advance to the quarter-finals.

Uruguay and Portugal, who each impressed as surprise packages in France, complete that Pool D.

Notably, the victors of both Pool D and Pool F are kept apart from defending champions and top-ranked South Africa before the final, assuming the South Africans top their own group.

Knockout Ramifications

If the groups conclude in line with the current world rankings, further top favourites like the All Blacks and France would also be kept apart from the likes of England and the Irish until the championship decider.

In that scenario, Los Pumas would be the other top-ranked nation on the same half of the elimination bracket as England and Ireland.

Tournament Hosts Face Major Opener

Tournament hosts the Wallabies have been drawn together with their great rivals and triple champions New Zealand in Pool A.

The Wallabies will open the tournament in the city of Perth on October 1st, 2027 in a blockbuster match aimed at jump-start the competition.

In other groups, reigning champions South Africa have been paired with Italy, the Lelos and the Oaks. The French team are grouped with the Brave Blossoms, 2031 hosts the USA and Samoa.

Larger Format for 2027

Los Pumas will face the Flying Fijians, Spain and Canada as the World Cup expands to 24 teams from the twenty who competed in 2023.

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

Although the victor of Pool F may be kept apart from some of the rugby's biggest beasts initially, they will have to face the second-placed team from Group B – most likely Italy – in the last 16.

Four of the remaining six group winners will face 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