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The English side and Wales have been drawn in an identical group for the World Cup in 2027, promising a highly-anticipated early clash in Australia. They are joined in Pool F by Tonga and the Zimbabwean Sables.

This draw mirrors their infamous clash in the group phase of the 2015 tournament, where a Welsh win at Twickenham played a part in the hosts' shock group stage elimination.

Key Group Pairings

Ireland alongside Scotland also share a group together, replicating the situation from the France 2023 tournament. In that tournament, they secured a 36-14 win, with their opponents failing to advance to the quarter-finals.

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

Notably, the victors of both Pool D and Pool F are kept apart from defending champions and world number one South Africa before the final, assuming the Springboks top their assigned pool.

Knockout Ramifications

Should the groups conclude in line with the current global standings, other leading contenders like New Zealand and Les Bleus would also be kept apart from the likes of England and Ireland all the way to the final.

Under those circumstances, Argentina would be the remaining highly-seeded nation on that side of the elimination bracket as England and Ireland.

Hosts Face Blockbuster Fixture

Hosts Australia have been drawn together with their trans-Tasman rivals and three-time winners New Zealand in Pool A.

The Wallabies will open the tournament in Perth on 1 October 2027 in a marquee fixture aimed at launch the event.

Elsewhere, reigning champions the Springboks have been paired with the Azzurri, the Lelos and Romania. The French team are in a pool with the Brave Blossoms, future hosts the USA and Samoa.

Expanded Tournament for 2027

Los Pumas will take on Fiji, Spain and Canada as the World Cup expands to 24 teams from the twenty who took part in France.

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

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

Four of the other six pool winners will face 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