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The English side and their Welsh counterparts will face off in an identical pool for the 2027 RWC, promising a highly-anticipated early encounter in Australia. Completing the group in Group F by the Tongan Ikale Tahi and the Zimbabwean Sables.

This draw echoes their memorable clash in the pool stages of the 2015 tournament, where Wales' victory at England's home ground contributed to the English team's surprise early exit.

Key Pool Pairings

Ireland and Scotland have likewise been drawn in a pool once again, just as the scenario from the 2023 edition. On that occasion, they secured a convincing victory, with Scotland unable to advance to the quarter-finals.

Los Teros and Portugal, both made a strong impression as underdogs in the last World Cup, complete that same group.

Notably, the victors of these two groups are kept apart from defending champions and top-ranked the Springboks before the final, presuming the Springboks top their assigned pool.

Tournament Ramifications

If the pools conclude according to the current world rankings, further leading contenders like the All Blacks and Les Bleus would remain separated from both England and the Irish until the championship decider.

In that scenario, Los Pumas would be the remaining top-ranked nation on the same half of the knockout draw as England and Ireland.

Hosts Face Major Fixture

Tournament hosts the Wallabies have been drawn together with their great rivals and triple champions the All Blacks in Group A.

The Wallabies will open the tournament in Perth on 1 October 2027 in a marquee match designed to launch the event.

Elsewhere, holders the Springboks have been paired with Italy, Georgia and Romania. The French team are grouped with the Brave Blossoms, future hosts the United States and Manu Samoa.

Expanded Tournament for 2027

Argentina will take on the Flying Fijians, Spain and Canada as the tournament expands to 24 teams from the twenty who took part in France.

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

Although the winner of England and Wales's group may avoid some of the game's heavyweights initially, they will meet the second-placed team from Group B – most likely Italy – in the last 16.

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