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England and their Welsh counterparts find themselves placed in an identical pool for the 2027 RWC, setting up a major pool stage clash in Australia. They are joined 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 England's home ground contributed to the English team's shock early exit.

Other Notable Group Draws

Ireland and Scotland have likewise been drawn in a group once again, just as the scenario from the France 2023 tournament. On that occasion, they claimed a convincing victory, with their opponents failing to advance to the quarter-finals.

Uruguay and Os Lobos, both made a strong impression as surprise packages in France, complete that Pool D.

Notably, the victors of these two groups cannot meet holders and world number one the Springboks until the final, presuming the South Africans win their assigned pool.

Knockout Ramifications

If the groups play out according to the current world rankings, other top favourites like New Zealand and France would remain separated 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 that half of the elimination bracket as England and Ireland.

Hosts Face Major Opener

Tournament hosts the Wallabies find themselves alongside their great rivals and triple champions the All Blacks in Pool A.

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

Elsewhere, holders South Africa have been paired with the Azzurri, the Lelos and the Oaks. The French team are grouped with the Brave Blossoms, future hosts the USA and Manu Samoa.

Expanded Tournament for 2027

Argentina will face Fiji, Spain and Canada as the tournament expands to 24 teams from the twenty who took part in 2023.

This edition will feature a last-16 round for the first time in Rugby World Cup existence.

While the winner of England and Wales's group may avoid some of the game's biggest beasts early on, they will have to face the runner-up from Pool B – probably the Italians – in the last 16.

Four of the other six pool winners will play a third-placed side from the pool stages.

Rugby World Cup 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