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England together with their Welsh counterparts will face off in an identical group for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, promising a major early encounter in Australia. Completing the group in Group F by Tonga and the Zimbabwean Sables.

This draw mirrors their famous meeting in the group phase 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 Group Draws

The Irish alongside the Scots have likewise been drawn in a group once again, just as the scenario from the 2023 edition. On that occasion, Ireland claimed a convincing win, with Scotland unable to progress to the knockout stages.

Uruguay and Os Lobos, who each made a strong impression as surprise packages in France, round out that same group.

Notably, the winners of these two groups are kept apart from defending champions and world number one the Springboks before the final, assuming the Springboks top their assigned pool.

Tournament Ramifications

If the groups conclude according to the current world rankings, further leading contenders like New Zealand and France would also be kept apart from the likes of the English and the Irish all the way to the championship decider.

Under those circumstances, Argentina would be the other top-ranked nation on the same side of the elimination bracket as those northern hemisphere teams.

Tournament Hosts Draw Major Opener

Tournament hosts the Wallabies find themselves alongside their great rivals and triple champions New Zealand in Pool A.

Australia will open the tournament in the city of Perth on 1 October 2027 in a marquee fixture aimed at launch the event.

Elsewhere, holders South Africa have drawn Italy, the Lelos and the Oaks. France are grouped with Japan, future hosts the USA and Samoa.

Expanded Format for 2027

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

The 2027 tournament will introduce a round of 16 stage for the very first time in Rugby World Cup existence.

Although the victor of Pool F may be kept apart from some of the game's biggest beasts early on, they will meet the runner-up from Group B – most likely Italy – in the last 16.

A total of four of the other six pool winners will play a team that finished third 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