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The English side together with their Welsh counterparts will face off in the same group for the World Cup in 2027, promising a major pool stage clash in Australia. They are joined in Pool F by Tonga and Zimbabwe.

This pairing recalls their infamous clash in the group phase of the 2015 World Cup, where Wales' victory at Twickenham played a part in the English team's shock early exit.

Other Notable Group Pairings

Ireland alongside Scotland have likewise been drawn in a pool once again, just as the scenario from the France 2023 tournament. On that occasion, they claimed a convincing victory, with their opponents unable to progress to the knockout stages.

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

Notably, the victors of both Pool D and Pool F cannot meet holders and world number one South Africa until the showpiece match, assuming the Springboks win their assigned pool.

Knockout Ramifications

If the groups play out in line with the current world rankings, further leading contenders like New Zealand and Les Bleus would remain separated from both England and the Irish until the championship decider.

Under those circumstances, Los Pumas would be the other top-ranked nation on that side of the knockout draw as those northern hemisphere teams.

Hosts Draw Major Opener

Tournament hosts the Wallabies find themselves alongside their great rivals and three-time winners the All Blacks in Pool A.

Australia will kick off the tournament in Perth on October 1st, 2027 in a marquee match aimed at jump-start the competition.

Elsewhere, holders South Africa have been paired with the Azzurri, Georgia and the Oaks. France are in a pool with Japan, future hosts the USA and Samoa.

Larger Format for 2027

Argentina will face the Flying Fijians, Spain and Canada as the World Cup grows to twenty-four nations from the 20 who took part in France.

This edition will feature a round of 16 stage for the first time in the competition's existence.

Although the winner of England and Wales's group may be kept apart from some of the game's heavyweights early on, they will have to face the runner-up from Pool B – most likely the Italians – in the first knockout round.

Four of the remaining six group winners will face a team that finished third from the initial group phase.

Rugby World Cup 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