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The English side and their Welsh counterparts have been drawn in an identical pool for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, promising a major pool stage clash in the tournament Down Under. Completing the group in Pool F by Tonga and Zimbabwe.

This pairing mirrors their memorable clash in the group phase of the 2015 tournament, where a Welsh win at England's home ground contributed to the English team's shock early exit.

Other Notable Pool Draws

Ireland alongside Scotland also share a pool once again, replicating the situation from the France 2023 tournament. On that occasion, Ireland claimed a 36-14 win, with Scotland unable to advance to the knockout stages.

Los Teros and Os Lobos, both impressed as underdogs in the last World Cup, complete that Pool D.

Notably, the victors of these two groups cannot meet holders and top-ranked the Springboks until the final, assuming the Springboks win their own group.

Tournament Ramifications

If the groups play out in line with the current world rankings, other top favourites like the All Blacks and France would also be kept apart from both England and Ireland all the way to the final.

Under those circumstances, Argentina would be the other highly-seeded nation on that side of the knockout draw as England and Ireland.

Hosts Face Blockbuster Opener

Tournament hosts the Wallabies have been drawn alongside their great rivals and three-time winners the All Blacks in Group A.

The Wallabies will open the tournament in Perth on 1 October 2027 in a blockbuster match designed to jump-start the competition.

Elsewhere, reigning champions the Springboks have drawn Italy, the Lelos and the Oaks. The French team are in a pool with Japan, 2031 hosts the USA and Manu Samoa.

Expanded Tournament for 2027

Los Pumas will take on Fiji, Los Leones and the Canadian team as the World Cup grows to 24 teams from the 20 who competed in France.

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

Although the winner of Pool F may avoid some of the game's biggest beasts initially, they will have to face the second-placed team from Group B – most likely the Italians – in the first knockout round.

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

RWC 2027 Groups

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