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The English side together with Wales have been drawn in an identical pool for the 2027 RWC, promising a highly-anticipated early encounter in the tournament Down Under. They are joined in Group F by the Tongan Ikale Tahi and the Zimbabwean Sables.

This draw recalls their infamous meeting in the group phase of the 2015 World Cup, where Wales' victory at Twickenham contributed to the hosts' surprise group stage elimination.

Key Pool Draws

The Irish and Scotland also share a pool together, just as the situation from the 2023 edition. In that tournament, they secured a convincing win, with their opponents failing to progress to the quarter-finals.

Uruguay and Os Lobos, who each made a strong impression as underdogs in France, round out that same group.

Notably, the victors of these two groups cannot meet defending champions and top-ranked the Springboks until the showpiece match, assuming the South Africans top their assigned pool.

Tournament Ramifications

Should the groups conclude according to the current world rankings, other top favourites like New Zealand and France would also be kept apart from the likes of England and Ireland all the way to the final.

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

Tournament Hosts Face Blockbuster Fixture

Hosts Australia have been drawn alongside their great rivals and three-time winners the All Blacks in Group A.

Australia will kick off the tournament in the city of Perth on October 1st, 2027 in a marquee match designed to launch the event.

In other groups, reigning champions the Springboks have been paired with the Azzurri, the Lelos and the Oaks. The French team are in a pool with Japan, 2031 hosts the USA and Manu Samoa.

Expanded Format for 2027

Argentina will face the Flying Fijians, Spain and the Canadian team as the tournament grows to twenty-four nations from the 20 who took part in France.

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

While the victor of Pool F may avoid some of the game's heavyweights early on, they will have to face the runner-up from Group B – most likely the Italians – in the first knockout round.

Four of the remaining six group winners will face a team that finished third 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