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The English side and their Welsh counterparts will face off in an identical pool for the 2027 RWC, promising a highly-anticipated pool stage encounter in Australia. Completing the group in Pool F by the Tongan Ikale Tahi and the Zimbabwean Sables.

This pairing mirrors their famous meeting in the pool stages of the 2015 tournament, where Wales' victory at Twickenham played a part in the English team's surprise early exit.

Other Notable Pool Draws

The Irish alongside Scotland have likewise been drawn in a pool once again, replicating the situation from the 2023 edition. On that occasion, Ireland claimed a convincing win, with their opponents failing to advance to the knockout stages.

Los Teros and Os Lobos, both impressed as underdogs in France, round out that same group.

Significantly, the winners of both Pool D and Pool F cannot meet holders and world number one South Africa until the showpiece match, assuming the South Africans top their own group.

Knockout Implications

If the pools play out in line with the current world rankings, other top favourites like New Zealand and Les Bleus would remain separated from both the English and Ireland all the way to the final.

Under those circumstances, Argentina would be the other highly-seeded nation on that half of the elimination bracket as those northern hemisphere teams.

Tournament Hosts Draw Blockbuster Fixture

Tournament hosts Australia find themselves together with their great rivals and triple champions the All Blacks in Pool A.

The Wallabies will kick off the World Cup in Perth on 1 October 2027 in a blockbuster match aimed at launch the competition.

Elsewhere, holders South Africa have drawn the Azzurri, the Lelos and the Oaks. France are grouped with Japan, 2031 hosts the United States and Manu Samoa.

Larger 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 France.

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

While the victor of Pool F may be kept apart from some of the rugby's heavyweights early on, they will meet the second-placed team from Pool B – most likely Italy – in the first knockout round.

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

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