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The English side and Wales have been drawn in an identical group for the World Cup in 2027, promising a major pool stage clash in Australia. Completing the group in Group F by Tonga and Zimbabwe.

This draw recalls their famous meeting in the group phase of the 2015 tournament, where a Welsh win at England's home ground contributed to the English team's shock group stage elimination.

Key Pool Pairings

Ireland and the Scots also share a pool once again, just as the scenario from the France 2023 tournament. In that tournament, Ireland secured a convincing victory, with their opponents failing to advance to the knockout stages.

Los Teros and Os Lobos, both made a strong impression as underdogs in France, round out that Pool D.

Notably, the victors of these two groups cannot meet holders and world number one South Africa until the final, assuming the South Africans top their own group.

Knockout Ramifications

If the groups play out in line with the current world rankings, further top favourites like New Zealand and Les Bleus would remain separated from both the English and Ireland all the way to the championship decider.

In that scenario, Argentina would be the other top-ranked nation on that half of the knockout draw as England and Ireland.

Hosts Draw Major Opener

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

Australia will kick off the tournament in the city of Perth on 1 October 2027 in a blockbuster fixture designed to jump-start the event.

Elsewhere, reigning champions the Springboks have drawn Italy, the Lelos and the Oaks. France are grouped with the Brave Blossoms, future hosts the USA and Samoa.

Expanded Tournament for 2027

Argentina will take on Fiji, Los Leones and Canada as the tournament expands to 24 teams from the 20 who took part in France.

The 2027 tournament will introduce a last-16 round for the first time in Rugby World Cup existence.

Although the winner of Pool F may avoid some of the game's heavyweights initially, they will meet the second-placed team from Group B – probably the Italians – in the first knockout round.

A total of four of the other six pool winners will face 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