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The English side together with Wales will face off in an identical pool for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, promising a major pool stage clash in the tournament Down Under. Completing the group in Pool F by Tonga and Zimbabwe.

This draw echoes their famous clash in the pool stages of the 2015 tournament, where Wales' victory at England's home ground played a part in the English team's surprise group stage elimination.

Other Notable Group Pairings

Ireland alongside the Scots have likewise been drawn in a group together, replicating the situation from the 2023 edition. On that occasion, Ireland claimed a 36-14 win, with Scotland unable to progress to the knockout stages.

Uruguay and Os Lobos, both impressed as underdogs in France, complete that same group.

Significantly, the winners of both Pool D and Pool F are kept apart from holders and top-ranked the Springboks until the showpiece match, assuming the Springboks win their assigned pool.

Knockout Implications

Should the pools play out according to the current global standings, other leading contenders like the All Blacks and Les Bleus would remain separated from both the English and Ireland until the final.

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

Tournament Hosts Face Blockbuster Opener

Hosts the Wallabies have been drawn alongside their great rivals and three-time winners New Zealand in Pool A.

The Wallabies will open the tournament in Perth on 1 October 2027 in a blockbuster fixture aimed at jump-start the competition.

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

Larger Tournament for 2027

Argentina will face Fiji, Spain and Canada as the tournament expands to 24 teams from the 20 who competed in 2023.

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

Although the victor of England and Wales's group may be kept apart from some of the rugby's heavyweights early on, they will have to face the second-placed team from Group B – most likely the Italians – in the first knockout round.

A total of four of the remaining six group winners will play a team that finished third 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