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The English side together with their Welsh counterparts have been drawn in an identical group for the World Cup in 2027, setting up a highly-anticipated early encounter in the tournament Down Under. Completing the group in Group F by Tonga and the Zimbabwean Sables.

This draw recalls their infamous meeting in the group phase of the 2015 World Cup, where a Welsh win at England's home ground played a part in the hosts' surprise group stage elimination.

Key Group Draws

Ireland and the Scots have likewise been drawn in a group once again, replicating the situation from the 2023 edition. On that occasion, they secured a 36-14 victory, with their opponents failing to advance to the quarter-finals.

Uruguay and Portugal, both made a strong impression as underdogs in the last World Cup, complete that Pool D.

Notably, the winners of both Pool D and Pool F are kept apart from holders and top-ranked the Springboks until the final, presuming the South Africans top their assigned pool.

Tournament Ramifications

Should the pools play out in line with the current world rankings, further leading contenders like New Zealand and France would also be kept apart from both the English and Ireland until the championship decider.

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

Hosts Draw Major Opener

Hosts the Wallabies have been drawn alongside their great rivals and triple champions New Zealand in Pool A.

Australia will kick off the World Cup in Perth on October 1st, 2027 in a blockbuster match designed to launch the event.

In other groups, reigning champions South Africa have drawn Italy, Georgia and Romania. France are grouped with Japan, future hosts the USA and Samoa.

Expanded Format for 2027

Argentina will take on Fiji, Los Leones and the Canadian team as the tournament grows to 24 teams from the 20 who took part in 2023.

The 2027 tournament will introduce a last-16 stage for the first time in Rugby World Cup existence.

Although the winner of England and Wales's group may avoid some of the rugby's biggest beasts initially, they will have to face the runner-up from Group B – probably the Italians – in the last 16.

Four of the remaining six group winners will play a third-placed side from the pool stages.

RWC 2027 Groups

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