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England together with Wales have been drawn in the same group for the 2027 RWC, promising a highly-anticipated early encounter in Australia. Completing the group in Pool F by Tonga and the Zimbabwean Sables.

This draw echoes their infamous meeting in the group phase of the 2015 World Cup, where a Welsh win at Twickenham played a part in the hosts' surprise group stage elimination.

Key Pool Draws

Ireland and Scotland also share a pool together, replicating the scenario from the 2023 edition. In that tournament, Ireland claimed a 36-14 victory, with their opponents failing to advance to the knockout stages.

Los Teros and Portugal, who each made a strong impression as surprise packages in the last World Cup, complete that Pool D.

Significantly, the winners of these two groups cannot meet defending champions and top-ranked the Springboks before the final, assuming the Springboks win their assigned pool.

Knockout Ramifications

If the groups play out according to the current global standings, other leading contenders like New Zealand and Les Bleus would remain separated from the likes of England and Ireland all the way to the championship decider.

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

Hosts Draw Major Opener

Tournament hosts the Wallabies have been drawn alongside their trans-Tasman rivals and triple champions the All Blacks in Pool A.

Australia will open the tournament in the city of Perth on 1 October 2027 in a marquee match aimed at launch the competition.

In other groups, reigning champions the Springboks have been paired with Italy, Georgia and Romania. The French team are in a pool with the Brave Blossoms, future hosts the United States and Samoa.

Larger Format for 2027

Los Pumas will face the Flying Fijians, Los Leones and the Canadian team as the World Cup grows to twenty-four nations from the 20 who took part in 2023.

The 2027 tournament will introduce a round of 16 round for the first time in the competition's existence.

While the winner of Pool F may be kept apart from some of the rugby's biggest beasts initially, they will meet the runner-up from Group B – most likely Italy – in the first knockout round.

Four of the other 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