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The English side together with Wales find themselves placed in an identical pool for the World Cup in 2027, setting up a major early encounter in Australia. Completing the group in Pool F by Tonga and the Zimbabwean Sables.

This pairing mirrors their famous meeting in the pool stages of the 2015 tournament, where Wales' victory at England's home ground played a part in the English team's surprise group stage elimination.

Key Pool Draws

Ireland and the Scots have likewise been drawn in a group together, replicating the scenario from the 2023 edition. In that tournament, they secured a convincing victory, with Scotland failing to advance to the knockout stages.

Los Teros and Os Lobos, who each impressed as surprise packages in France, complete that Pool D.

Significantly, the victors of these two groups cannot meet defending champions and top-ranked South Africa until the final, presuming the Springboks top their assigned pool.

Tournament Ramifications

If the pools play out according to the current world rankings, other top favourites like the All Blacks and Les Bleus would remain separated from both England and Ireland until the final.

Under those circumstances, Argentina would be the remaining top-ranked nation on that side of the knockout draw as those northern hemisphere teams.

Tournament Hosts Draw Blockbuster Opener

Tournament hosts Australia find themselves alongside their trans-Tasman rivals and triple champions the All Blacks in Group A.

Australia will kick off the tournament in the city of Perth on 1 October 2027 in a marquee match designed to launch the event.

Elsewhere, holders the Springboks have been paired with Italy, Georgia and the Oaks. The French team are in a pool with the Brave Blossoms, future hosts the United States and Samoa.

Larger Format for 2027

Los Pumas will take on the Flying Fijians, Los Leones and the Canadian team as the World Cup grows to 24 teams from the twenty who competed in 2023.

This edition will introduce a last-16 stage for the very first time in Rugby World Cup existence.

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

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

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