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The English side together with their Welsh counterparts find themselves placed in an identical group for the World Cup in 2027, setting up a highly-anticipated pool stage clash in the tournament Down Under. They are joined in Pool F by the Tongan Ikale Tahi and the Zimbabwean Sables.

This pairing mirrors their infamous clash in the group phase of the 2015 World Cup, where a Welsh win at Twickenham played a part in the English team's surprise group stage elimination.

Key Group Pairings

The Irish alongside the Scots also share a group once again, replicating the situation from the 2023 edition. In that tournament, they secured a 36-14 win, with Scotland unable to advance to the knockout stages.

Uruguay and Portugal, who each impressed as underdogs in the last World Cup, round out that same group.

Significantly, the victors of these two groups cannot meet defending champions and world number one the Springboks before the showpiece match, presuming the Springboks top their assigned pool.

Tournament Implications

Should the groups conclude according to the current world rankings, other top favourites like the All Blacks and Les Bleus would remain separated from both the English and Ireland until the final.

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

Hosts Draw Major Opener

Hosts Australia find themselves alongside their great rivals and three-time winners the All Blacks in Pool A.

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

Elsewhere, reigning champions the Springboks have been paired with Italy, the Lelos and the Oaks. France are grouped with Japan, 2031 hosts the USA and Manu Samoa.

Expanded Format for 2027

Los Pumas will take on Fiji, Los Leones and Canada as the World Cup expands to twenty-four nations from the 20 who took part in 2023.

This edition will introduce a last-16 stage for the first time in Rugby World Cup existence.

While the winner of Pool F may avoid some of the game's biggest beasts initially, they will meet the runner-up from Pool B – most likely Italy – in the first knockout round.

A total of four of the other six pool 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