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England together with their Welsh counterparts find themselves placed in an identical group for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, promising a highly-anticipated pool stage clash in Australia. Completing the group in Group F by the Tongan Ikale Tahi and the Zimbabwean Sables.

This pairing echoes their memorable clash in the group phase of the 2015 World Cup, where Wales' victory at Twickenham contributed to the hosts' shock early exit.

Key Group Draws

Ireland alongside Scotland have likewise been drawn in a pool once again, replicating the scenario from the France 2023 tournament. On that occasion, they secured a 36-14 victory, with their opponents failing to progress to the knockout stages.

Uruguay and Portugal, both impressed as underdogs in France, complete that Pool D.

Notably, the victors of these two groups are kept apart from defending champions and top-ranked South Africa until the final, presuming the Springboks win their own group.

Tournament Ramifications

If the groups conclude according to the current global standings, other leading contenders like the All Blacks and Les Bleus would also be kept apart from both the English and Ireland until the final.

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 have been drawn together with their great rivals and triple champions New Zealand in Pool A.

The Wallabies will kick off the tournament in Perth on 1 October 2027 in a marquee fixture designed to jump-start the competition.

Elsewhere, reigning champions South Africa have drawn the Azzurri, the Lelos and the Oaks. The French team are grouped with the Brave Blossoms, 2031 hosts the USA and Samoa.

Expanded Tournament for 2027

Argentina will take on the Flying Fijians, Spain and Canada as the World Cup grows to twenty-four nations from the twenty who took part in 2023.

The 2027 tournament will feature a round of 16 round for the first time in Rugby World Cup history.

While the victor of Pool F may avoid some of the game's heavyweights initially, they will meet the runner-up from Pool B – probably Italy – in the first knockout round.

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