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The English side and their Welsh counterparts find themselves placed in an identical group for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, promising a major pool stage encounter in Australia. They are joined in Group F by Tonga and Zimbabwe.

This draw mirrors their memorable meeting in the pool stages of the 2015 World Cup, where Wales' victory at England's home ground played a part in the English team's shock group stage elimination.

Key Pool Pairings

Ireland alongside Scotland also share a pool once again, replicating the situation from the France 2023 tournament. On that occasion, Ireland claimed a convincing win, with their opponents failing to advance to the knockout stages.

Los Teros and Portugal, who each made a strong impression as underdogs in France, complete that Pool D.

Notably, the winners of these two groups cannot meet defending champions and world number one the Springboks before the showpiece match, presuming the South Africans top their assigned pool.

Tournament Ramifications

Should the groups conclude according to the current world rankings, further top favourites like the All Blacks and France would also be kept apart from both England and the Irish until the final.

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

Tournament Hosts Draw Major Fixture

Hosts the Wallabies have been drawn together with their great rivals and triple champions the All Blacks in Pool A.

Australia 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. France are grouped with the Brave Blossoms, 2031 hosts the United States and Samoa.

Expanded Format for 2027

Argentina will face the Flying Fijians, Los Leones and the Canadian team as the tournament grows to twenty-four nations from the 20 who competed in 2023.

The 2027 tournament will feature a last-16 stage for the very first time in Rugby World Cup existence.

While the victor of England and Wales's group may avoid some of the game's heavyweights early on, they will meet the runner-up from Group B – probably the Italians – in the first knockout round.

Four of the other six pool winners will face a third-placed side 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