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The English side and their Welsh counterparts have been drawn in the same group for the World Cup in 2027, promising a highly-anticipated pool stage clash in the tournament Down Under. They are joined in Pool F by the Tongan Ikale Tahi and Zimbabwe.

This draw mirrors their famous meeting in the group phase of the 2015 World Cup, where a Welsh win at England's home ground played a part in the English team's shock early exit.

Other Notable Pool Pairings

The Irish and Scotland also share a group once again, replicating the situation from the 2023 edition. In that tournament, they claimed a 36-14 win, with their opponents unable to advance to the quarter-finals.

Uruguay and Portugal, who each impressed as surprise packages in the last World Cup, complete that same group.

Significantly, the victors of both Pool D and Pool F are kept apart from defending champions and top-ranked the Springboks until the final, presuming the Springboks top their assigned pool.

Tournament Implications

Should the pools play out in line with the current world rankings, further leading contenders like New Zealand and Les Bleus would also be kept apart from both the English and the Irish all the way to the final.

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

Tournament Hosts Draw Blockbuster Fixture

Hosts Australia have been drawn alongside their trans-Tasman rivals and three-time winners the All Blacks in Group A.

Australia will kick off the tournament in Perth on 1 October 2027 in a marquee match aimed at launch the event.

In other groups, reigning champions South Africa have drawn Italy, the Lelos and the Oaks. France are grouped with the Brave Blossoms, 2031 hosts the USA and Samoa.

Larger Format for 2027

Los Pumas will take on Fiji, Los Leones and Canada as the World Cup expands to 24 teams from the 20 who competed in 2023.

The 2027 tournament will introduce a last-16 stage for the first time in the competition's existence.

Although the victor of Pool F may be kept apart from some of the game's biggest beasts initially, they will meet the runner-up from Group B – most likely Italy – in the first knockout round.

Four of the other six group winners will play 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