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England together with their Welsh counterparts have been drawn in an identical pool for the World Cup in 2027, setting up a highly-anticipated early clash in the tournament Down Under. They are joined 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 England's home ground played a part in the hosts' shock early exit.

Other Notable Pool Draws

The Irish alongside the Scots have likewise been drawn in a pool together, just as the situation from the 2023 edition. On that occasion, they claimed a convincing victory, with Scotland unable to progress to the knockout stages.

Uruguay and Portugal, who each made a strong impression as surprise packages in the last World Cup, complete that Pool D.

Significantly, the winners of both Pool D and Pool F cannot meet defending champions and top-ranked the Springboks before the showpiece match, assuming the Springboks top their own group.

Knockout Implications

If the pools conclude according to the current global standings, further leading contenders like the All Blacks and Les Bleus would remain separated from both England and the Irish all the way to the championship decider.

In that scenario, Argentina would be the remaining highly-seeded nation on the same half of the knockout draw as England and Ireland.

Hosts Draw Blockbuster Opener

Tournament hosts Australia have been drawn alongside their trans-Tasman rivals and triple champions New Zealand in Pool A.

Australia will open the tournament in the city of Perth on 1 October 2027 in a marquee fixture designed to launch the event.

Elsewhere, holders South Africa have been paired with Italy, Georgia and Romania. France are in a pool with the Brave Blossoms, 2031 hosts the USA and Manu Samoa.

Larger Format for 2027

Argentina will take on the Flying Fijians, Los Leones and Canada as the World Cup expands to 24 teams from the 20 who took part in 2023.

This edition will introduce a last-16 stage for the first time in the competition's existence.

While the winner of Pool F may avoid some of the game's biggest beasts initially, they will meet the runner-up from Pool B – probably the Italians – in the first knockout round.

Four of the other six group winners will play a team that finished third 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