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England together with their Welsh counterparts find themselves placed in the same group for the World Cup in 2027, promising a major pool stage clash in the tournament Down Under. They are joined in Pool F by Tonga and Zimbabwe.

This pairing recalls their memorable clash in the group phase of the 2015 World Cup, where a Welsh win at Twickenham played a part in the English team's 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 2023 edition. In that tournament, Ireland secured a 36-14 win, with their opponents unable to advance to the knockout stages.

Uruguay and Os Lobos, who each impressed as surprise packages in the last World Cup, round out that Pool D.

Significantly, the victors of both Pool D and Pool F are kept apart from defending champions and world number one the Springboks before the final, presuming the South Africans top their own group.

Knockout Implications

Should the groups conclude in line with the current global standings, further top favourites like New Zealand and France would also be kept apart from the likes of the English and the Irish until the championship decider.

In that scenario, Argentina would be the remaining top-ranked nation on the same half of the elimination bracket as England and Ireland.

Tournament Hosts Face Blockbuster Opener

Tournament hosts Australia find themselves together with their trans-Tasman rivals and triple champions New Zealand in Pool A.

Australia will open the World Cup in the city of Perth on October 1st, 2027 in a blockbuster match designed to launch the event.

In other groups, holders South Africa have drawn the Azzurri, Georgia and the Oaks. The French team are in a pool with Japan, 2031 hosts the USA and Samoa.

Larger Format for 2027

Argentina will take on the Flying Fijians, Spain and Canada as the tournament expands to 24 teams from the twenty who competed in France.

The 2027 tournament will feature a round of 16 round for the very first time in the competition's history.

Although the winner of England and Wales's group may avoid some of the game's biggest beasts initially, they will have to face the second-placed team from Group B – probably Italy – in the last 16.

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

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