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The English side together with Wales find themselves placed in the same group for the World Cup in 2027, promising a major early encounter in the tournament Down Under. They are joined in Pool F by the Tongan Ikale Tahi and Zimbabwe.

This pairing mirrors their infamous clash in the pool stages 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 Pairings

Ireland alongside Scotland also share a group together, replicating the scenario from the 2023 edition. In that tournament, they claimed a convincing victory, with their opponents unable to progress to the quarter-finals.

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

Significantly, the winners of these two groups are kept apart from holders and world number one the Springboks before the showpiece match, presuming the Springboks win their assigned pool.

Knockout Ramifications

Should the groups conclude according to the current world rankings, other top favourites like the All Blacks and France would remain separated from the likes of the English and Ireland until the final.

In that scenario, Argentina would be the other highly-seeded nation on the same side of the knockout draw as those northern hemisphere teams.

Tournament Hosts Draw Major Opener

Tournament hosts the Wallabies have been drawn together with their great rivals and triple champions New Zealand in Pool A.

The Wallabies will open the tournament in the city of Perth on 1 October 2027 in a marquee match aimed at launch the event.

In other groups, reigning champions the Springboks have been paired with the Azzurri, Georgia and the Oaks. The French team are grouped with Japan, future hosts the United States and Samoa.

Larger Tournament for 2027

Los Pumas will face Fiji, Spain and the Canadian team as the tournament expands to twenty-four nations from the twenty who competed in France.

The 2027 tournament will feature a round of 16 stage for the first time in Rugby World Cup history.

Although the victor of Pool F may avoid some of the game's heavyweights initially, they will have to face the runner-up from Pool B – probably the Italians – in the first knockout round.

A total of 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