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England together with Wales will face off in an identical pool for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, promising a highly-anticipated pool stage clash in the tournament Down Under. Completing the group in Pool F by Tonga and the Zimbabwean Sables.

This draw mirrors their memorable clash in the group phase of the 2015 tournament, where Wales' victory at England's home ground contributed to the hosts' shock group stage elimination.

Other Notable Pool Pairings

The Irish alongside Scotland have likewise been drawn in a group together, replicating the scenario from the France 2023 tournament. In that tournament, Ireland secured a 36-14 win, with Scotland unable to progress to the knockout stages.

Uruguay and Portugal, who each made a strong impression as underdogs in France, complete that same group.

Notably, the victors of these two groups cannot meet holders and top-ranked the Springboks until the showpiece match, presuming the South Africans win their assigned pool.

Tournament Ramifications

Should the pools play out in line with the current global standings, other leading contenders like the All Blacks and France would remain separated from the likes of the English and the Irish all the way to the championship decider.

Under those circumstances, Argentina would be the other highly-seeded nation on the same side of the elimination bracket as England and Ireland.

Hosts Face Blockbuster Opener

Hosts the Wallabies find themselves together with their great rivals and triple champions New Zealand in Pool A.

Australia will open the tournament in Perth on 1 October 2027 in a blockbuster match designed to jump-start the event.

Elsewhere, holders the Springboks have been paired with Italy, Georgia and Romania. France are grouped with Japan, future hosts the USA and Samoa.

Larger Tournament for 2027

Los Pumas will face the Flying Fijians, Los Leones and the Canadian team as the World Cup expands to 24 teams from the twenty who took part in France.

This edition will introduce a round of 16 stage for the very first time in Rugby World Cup history.

Although the winner of England and Wales's group may be kept apart from some of the game's heavyweights initially, they will have to face the runner-up from Group B – most likely Italy – in the first knockout round.

A total of four of the remaining six pool winners will face 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