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The English side and Wales have been drawn in the same group for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, setting up a highly-anticipated pool stage clash in the tournament Down Under. Completing the group in Pool F by the Tongan Ikale Tahi and Zimbabwe.

This draw mirrors their infamous clash in the pool stages of the 2015 World Cup, where a Welsh win at Twickenham contributed to the hosts' shock early exit.

Key Pool Draws

The Irish and the Scots have likewise been drawn in a group once again, replicating the situation from the France 2023 tournament. In that tournament, Ireland claimed a convincing victory, with Scotland unable to advance to the quarter-finals.

Uruguay and Os Lobos, both impressed as underdogs in France, complete that Pool D.

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

Knockout Ramifications

If the groups conclude according to the current world rankings, other top favourites like New Zealand and France would remain separated from the likes of England and Ireland until the final.

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

Tournament Hosts Face Major Fixture

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 World Cup in Perth on October 1st, 2027 in a blockbuster fixture aimed at launch the competition.

Elsewhere, holders the Springboks have drawn the Azzurri, Georgia and Romania. France are in a pool with Japan, 2031 hosts the United States and Samoa.

Larger Format for 2027

Argentina will face the Flying Fijians, Spain and Canada as the tournament grows to 24 teams from the twenty who competed in 2023.

The 2027 tournament will introduce a round of 16 round for the first time in Rugby World Cup existence.

While the winner of England and Wales's group may avoid some of the game's heavyweights early on, they will have to face the runner-up from Pool B – probably Italy – in the first knockout round.

Four of the other 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