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England together with Wales have been drawn in an identical group for the World Cup in 2027, setting up a highly-anticipated early encounter in Australia. They are joined in Pool F by the Tongan Ikale Tahi and the Zimbabwean Sables.

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

Other Notable Pool Pairings

Ireland and Scotland also share a pool once again, replicating the scenario from the France 2023 tournament. On that occasion, Ireland secured a 36-14 win, with Scotland failing to progress to the knockout stages.

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

Significantly, the winners of both Pool D and Pool F are kept apart from defending champions and top-ranked South Africa until the final, presuming the South Africans win their assigned pool.

Knockout Implications

Should the groups conclude in line with the current global standings, further leading contenders like New Zealand and France would also be kept apart from both England and Ireland until the championship decider.

In that scenario, Argentina would be the other top-ranked nation on the same side of the knockout draw as England and Ireland.

Hosts Face Major Opener

Tournament hosts the Wallabies have been drawn together with their trans-Tasman rivals and triple champions the All Blacks in Pool A.

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

Elsewhere, reigning champions South Africa have drawn the Azzurri, Georgia and Romania. France are in a pool with Japan, 2031 hosts the United States and Samoa.

Larger Tournament for 2027

Argentina will take on the Flying Fijians, Spain and Canada as the World Cup grows to 24 teams from the 20 who competed in 2023.

The 2027 tournament will introduce a round of 16 stage for the very first time in the competition's history.

Although the victor of England and Wales's group may be kept apart from some of the game's biggest beasts early on, they will meet the runner-up from Pool B – most likely Italy – in the first knockout round.

Four of the other six pool winners will play a team that finished third from the initial group phase.

RWC 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