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England together with their Welsh counterparts will face off in the same pool for the 2027 RWC, setting up a major pool stage clash in Australia. Completing the group in Group F by Tonga and the Zimbabwean Sables.

This pairing mirrors their memorable meeting in the pool stages of the 2015 tournament, where Wales' victory at Twickenham played a part in the hosts' shock group stage elimination.

Key Pool Draws

The Irish alongside Scotland also share a pool once again, just as the scenario from the France 2023 tournament. On that occasion, Ireland secured a 36-14 win, with Scotland failing to advance to the knockout stages.

Uruguay and Os Lobos, who each made a strong impression as underdogs in the last World Cup, complete that Pool D.

Significantly, the victors of these two groups are kept apart from defending champions and world number one the Springboks before the showpiece match, assuming the Springboks top their own group.

Tournament Implications

If the pools conclude in line with the current global standings, other top favourites like the All Blacks and Les Bleus would remain separated from the likes of the English and Ireland until the championship decider.

Under those circumstances, Los Pumas would be the remaining top-ranked nation on that half of the elimination bracket as England and Ireland.

Hosts Face Major Fixture

Hosts the Wallabies have been drawn together with their great rivals and three-time winners the All Blacks in Group A.

The Wallabies will kick off the tournament in the city of Perth on October 1st, 2027 in a blockbuster match aimed at launch the competition.

Elsewhere, reigning champions South Africa have been paired with the Azzurri, Georgia and Romania. France are grouped with Japan, 2031 hosts the United States and Manu Samoa.

Larger Format for 2027

Los Pumas will take on Fiji, Los Leones and the Canadian team as the World Cup expands to 24 teams from the twenty who competed in 2023.

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

While the winner of England and Wales's group may avoid some of the game's heavyweights early on, they will have to face the second-placed team from Pool B – most likely Italy – in the first knockout round.

A total of four of the remaining six pool winners will play a third-placed side from the initial group phase.

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