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The English side and their Welsh counterparts will face off in the same pool for the World Cup in 2027, setting up a major early encounter in Australia. They are joined in Group F by Tonga and the Zimbabwean Sables.

This pairing mirrors their famous clash in the group phase of the 2015 World Cup, where Wales' victory at England's home ground contributed to the English team's shock early exit.

Other Notable Group Draws

Ireland and the Scots also share a group together, replicating the scenario from the France 2023 tournament. In that tournament, they claimed a 36-14 win, with Scotland failing to progress to the knockout stages.

Los Teros and Portugal, both impressed as surprise packages in the last World Cup, round out that same group.

Significantly, the victors 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 assigned pool.

Tournament Ramifications

If the groups play out according to the current global standings, other top favourites like the All Blacks and France would also be kept apart from the likes of England and the Irish until the championship decider.

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

Tournament Hosts Face Major Fixture

Hosts the Wallabies have been drawn alongside their great rivals and three-time winners New Zealand in Group A.

The Wallabies will open the World Cup in the city of Perth on October 1st, 2027 in a marquee fixture designed to jump-start the competition.

In other groups, holders South Africa have drawn Italy, Georgia and the Oaks. France are grouped with Japan, future hosts the United States and Samoa.

Expanded Tournament for 2027

Los Pumas will take on the Flying Fijians, Los Leones and the Canadian team as the World Cup grows to twenty-four nations from the 20 who competed in France.

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

Although the victor of England and Wales's group may be kept apart from some of the rugby's biggest beasts early on, they will have to face the runner-up from Group B – most likely Italy – in the first knockout round.

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