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The English side together with Wales find themselves placed in an identical pool for the 2027 RWC, setting up a major early clash in the tournament Down Under. Completing the group in Pool F by the Tongan Ikale Tahi and the Zimbabwean Sables.

This draw echoes their memorable meeting in the group phase of the 2015 tournament, where a Welsh win at England's home ground contributed to the English team's surprise group stage elimination.

Other Notable Pool Pairings

The Irish and the Scots have likewise been drawn in a group together, just as the situation from the 2023 edition. On that occasion, they claimed a convincing win, with Scotland failing to progress to the quarter-finals.

Uruguay and Portugal, both impressed as underdogs in the last World Cup, round out that Pool D.

Notably, the winners of these two groups are kept apart from holders and world number one the Springboks until the final, presuming the South Africans win their own group.

Knockout Implications

Should the groups play out in line with the current world rankings, other leading contenders like the All Blacks and France would also be kept apart from both England and the Irish all the way to the final.

In that scenario, Argentina would be the other top-ranked nation on that side of the knockout draw as England and Ireland.

Hosts Face Blockbuster Fixture

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

The Wallabies will open the World Cup in the city of Perth on 1 October 2027 in a marquee match aimed at launch the event.

In other groups, holders South Africa have drawn Italy, the Lelos and the Oaks. France are grouped with the Brave Blossoms, future hosts the United States and Manu Samoa.

Expanded Tournament for 2027

Argentina will take on the Flying Fijians, Los Leones and the Canadian team as the tournament expands to 24 teams from the 20 who took part in France.

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

While the winner of Pool F may be kept apart from some of the game's heavyweights initially, they will have to face the runner-up from Pool B – most likely Italy – in the last 16.

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

RWC 2027 Groups

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