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The English side together with Wales find themselves placed in the same pool for the 2027 RWC, setting up a major pool stage clash in the tournament Down Under. Completing the group in Pool F by Tonga and Zimbabwe.

This pairing mirrors their famous meeting in the group phase of the 2015 World Cup, where a Welsh win at Twickenham contributed to the hosts' shock group stage elimination.

Key Pool Pairings

Ireland and Scotland have likewise been drawn in a group together, replicating the scenario from the France 2023 tournament. On that occasion, Ireland secured a 36-14 win, with Scotland unable to progress to the quarter-finals.

Uruguay and Os Lobos, both impressed as surprise packages in France, round out that same group.

Notably, the winners of these two groups are kept apart from holders and world number one the Springboks until the showpiece match, assuming the Springboks top their assigned pool.

Knockout Ramifications

Should the groups conclude in line with the current global standings, further top favourites like New Zealand and France would remain separated from the likes of the English and the Irish until the final.

In that scenario, Argentina would be the remaining highly-seeded nation on that half of the elimination bracket as England and Ireland.

Tournament Hosts Draw Major Fixture

Tournament hosts the Wallabies have been drawn alongside their great rivals and three-time winners the All Blacks in Group A.

The Wallabies will kick off the tournament in Perth on 1 October 2027 in a marquee match aimed at launch the event.

Elsewhere, reigning champions South Africa have drawn Italy, Georgia and the Oaks. The French team are grouped with Japan, 2031 hosts the USA and Samoa.

Expanded Tournament for 2027

Los Pumas will face Fiji, Spain and Canada as the World Cup expands to twenty-four nations from the 20 who took part in France.

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

Although the winner of Pool F may be kept apart from some of the rugby's biggest beasts initially, they will meet the second-placed team from Group B – most likely Italy – in the last 16.

Four of the remaining six pool winners will face a team that finished third 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