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England and Wales have been drawn in the same group for the 2027 RWC, promising a major pool stage clash in Australia. Completing the group in Group F by Tonga and the Zimbabwean Sables.

This pairing mirrors their infamous meeting in the pool stages of the 2015 World Cup, where a Welsh win at England's home ground played a part in the English team's surprise early exit.

Other Notable Group Pairings

The Irish and the Scots have likewise been drawn in a group together, just as the scenario from the France 2023 tournament. On that occasion, Ireland claimed a convincing win, with Scotland failing to progress to the knockout stages.

Los Teros and Os Lobos, both made a strong impression as surprise packages in France, round out that same group.

Notably, the victors of these two groups cannot meet holders and top-ranked South Africa until the showpiece match, presuming the South Africans top their own group.

Tournament Ramifications

Should the pools conclude in line with the current world rankings, further leading contenders like New Zealand and Les Bleus would remain separated from the likes of the English and the Irish all the way to the final.

In that scenario, Los Pumas would be the remaining highly-seeded nation on that half of the elimination bracket as those northern hemisphere teams.

Hosts Draw Blockbuster Opener

Tournament hosts the Wallabies find themselves together with their great rivals and three-time winners the All Blacks in Pool A.

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

Elsewhere, reigning champions the Springboks have drawn Italy, the Lelos and Romania. France are grouped with the Brave Blossoms, future hosts the United States and Manu Samoa.

Expanded Tournament for 2027

Los Pumas will take on Fiji, Spain and the Canadian team as the tournament expands to twenty-four nations from the twenty who competed in France.

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

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

Four of the remaining six pool winners will play a team that finished third from the initial group phase.

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