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England and their Welsh counterparts have been drawn in the same pool for the 2027 RWC, promising a highly-anticipated early encounter in the tournament Down Under. They are joined in Group F by Tonga and Zimbabwe.

This draw echoes their memorable clash in the group phase of the 2015 tournament, where Wales' victory at Twickenham played a part in the English team's surprise early exit.

Other Notable Pool Draws

Ireland and the Scots have likewise been drawn in a pool once again, replicating the scenario from the 2023 edition. On that occasion, Ireland secured a convincing win, with Scotland unable to advance to the quarter-finals.

Los Teros and Os Lobos, both made a strong impression as surprise packages in the last World Cup, complete that Pool D.

Notably, the winners of these two groups are kept apart from defending champions and world number one the Springboks before the final, presuming the Springboks top their assigned pool.

Tournament Implications

If the pools play out in line with the current global standings, other leading contenders like New Zealand and Les Bleus would also be kept apart from the likes of the English and Ireland all the way to the championship decider.

Under those circumstances, Los Pumas would be the other highly-seeded nation on that half of the knockout draw as those northern hemisphere teams.

Hosts Draw Blockbuster Fixture

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

Australia will kick off the World Cup in the city of Perth on 1 October 2027 in a blockbuster match designed to jump-start the event.

In other groups, reigning champions the Springboks have been paired with Italy, the Lelos and the Oaks. The French team are grouped with Japan, future hosts the USA and Samoa.

Larger Format for 2027

Los Pumas will face the Flying Fijians, Spain and the Canadian team as the World Cup grows to twenty-four nations from the 20 who took part in 2023.

This edition will introduce a last-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 heavyweights initially, they will meet the runner-up from Pool B – probably the Italians – in the last 16.

Four of the remaining six group winners will face 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