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The English side and Wales find themselves placed in an identical group for the World Cup in 2027, promising a major early clash in Australia. They are joined in Pool F by Tonga and the Zimbabwean Sables.

This draw recalls their famous clash in the group phase of the 2015 tournament, where Wales' victory at Twickenham played a part in the hosts' surprise group stage elimination.

Key Group Pairings

Ireland alongside Scotland also share a group once again, replicating the situation from the France 2023 tournament. On that occasion, they claimed a 36-14 victory, with their opponents unable to advance to the quarter-finals.

Uruguay and Os Lobos, both made a strong impression as underdogs 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 top-ranked South Africa before the showpiece match, assuming the Springboks win their own group.

Knockout Ramifications

Should the pools play out according to 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 championship decider.

Under those circumstances, Los Pumas would be the remaining highly-seeded nation on the same side of the elimination bracket as England and Ireland.

Tournament Hosts Draw Major Fixture

Tournament hosts Australia have been drawn alongside their great rivals and triple champions New Zealand in Group A.

The Wallabies will kick off the World Cup in Perth on October 1st, 2027 in a marquee match designed to jump-start the event.

Elsewhere, reigning champions the Springboks have drawn Italy, Georgia and the Oaks. France are grouped with Japan, future hosts the United States and Samoa.

Expanded Format for 2027

Los Pumas will take on Fiji, Spain and Canada as the tournament expands to twenty-four nations from the twenty who took part in France.

This edition will introduce a last-16 round 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 game's heavyweights early on, they will have to face the runner-up from Pool B – most likely Italy – in the last 16.

A total of four of the remaining six group winners will face a third-placed side from the pool stages.

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