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England and their Welsh counterparts will face off in an identical group for the 2027 RWC, setting up a major pool stage encounter in the tournament Down Under. They are joined 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 World Cup, where Wales' victory at Twickenham contributed to the hosts' surprise early exit.

Key Group Pairings

The Irish and Scotland also share a group together, replicating the situation from the 2023 edition. On that occasion, Ireland claimed a convincing victory, with their opponents unable to advance to the knockout stages.

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

Notably, the winners of these two groups cannot meet holders and top-ranked the Springboks before the final, assuming the Springboks top their own group.

Knockout Ramifications

If the groups play out in line with the current global standings, other top favourites like New Zealand and France would remain separated from both the English and the Irish all the way to the final.

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

Tournament Hosts Draw Major Opener

Tournament hosts the Wallabies have been drawn alongside their trans-Tasman rivals and triple champions the All Blacks in Pool A.

Australia will kick off the World Cup in the city of Perth on 1 October 2027 in a marquee fixture designed to jump-start the event.

In other groups, reigning champions South Africa have been paired with Italy, Georgia and the Oaks. France are grouped with Japan, future hosts the United States and Samoa.

Larger Tournament for 2027

Los Pumas will take on Fiji, Spain and Canada as the tournament expands to 24 teams from the 20 who competed in France.

This edition will introduce a round of 16 round for the first time in the competition's history.

Although the winner of England and Wales's group may avoid some of the game's biggest beasts initially, they will meet the runner-up from Group B – most likely the Italians – in the last 16.

A total of four of the other six group winners will play a team that finished third from the initial group phase.

RWC 2027 Draw

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