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England and Wales have been drawn in an identical group for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, promising a highly-anticipated early encounter in the tournament Down Under. Completing the group in Pool F by Tonga and the Zimbabwean Sables.

This pairing echoes their memorable clash in the pool stages of the 2015 World Cup, where a Welsh win at Twickenham played a part in the hosts' shock early exit.

Key Group Draws

Ireland alongside the Scots have likewise been drawn in a group together, replicating the scenario from the 2023 edition. On that occasion, they claimed a convincing win, with their opponents unable to progress to the quarter-finals.

Los Teros and Os Lobos, both impressed as surprise packages in France, complete that same group.

Notably, the winners of these two groups are kept apart from defending champions and top-ranked South Africa before the showpiece match, presuming the Springboks top their assigned pool.

Tournament Implications

Should the groups conclude according to the current world rankings, further top favourites like New Zealand and Les Bleus would also be kept apart from the likes of England and the Irish all the way to the championship decider.

In that scenario, Argentina would be the remaining top-ranked nation on that half of the knockout draw as those northern hemisphere teams.

Tournament Hosts Face Major Opener

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

The Wallabies will kick off the tournament in the city of Perth on 1 October 2027 in a blockbuster fixture aimed at launch the competition.

Elsewhere, reigning champions South Africa have drawn Italy, Georgia and Romania. France are grouped with the Brave Blossoms, 2031 hosts the USA and Samoa.

Expanded Format for 2027

Argentina will take on Fiji, Spain and Canada as the tournament grows to twenty-four nations from the 20 who took part in France.

This edition will feature a round of 16 stage for the very first time in Rugby World Cup existence.

Although the victor of England and Wales's group may be kept apart from some of the rugby's heavyweights early on, they will meet the runner-up from Group B – probably Italy – in the first knockout round.

A total of four of the other 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