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England together with Wales will face off in the same group for the World Cup in 2027, setting up a major early encounter in Australia. Completing the group in Pool F by Tonga and Zimbabwe.

This draw mirrors their infamous clash in the group phase of the 2015 tournament, where Wales' victory at England's home ground played a part in the English team's surprise group stage elimination.

Key Group Draws

Ireland alongside the Scots also share a pool once again, just as the scenario from the France 2023 tournament. On that occasion, they claimed a convincing win, with Scotland failing to advance to the quarter-finals.

Uruguay and Os Lobos, both made a strong impression as surprise packages in the last World Cup, round out that Pool D.

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

Tournament Ramifications

Should the pools conclude in line with the current world rankings, further top favourites like the All Blacks and Les Bleus would also be kept apart from the likes of the English and Ireland all the way to the championship decider.

In that scenario, Argentina would be the remaining top-ranked nation on the same half of the elimination bracket as those northern hemisphere teams.

Tournament Hosts Draw Major Fixture

Hosts the Wallabies find themselves together with their great rivals and triple champions New Zealand in Group A.

The Wallabies will kick off the tournament in the city of Perth on October 1st, 2027 in a marquee match designed to jump-start the competition.

Elsewhere, holders South Africa have drawn Italy, Georgia and Romania. France are grouped with the Brave Blossoms, future hosts the United States and Manu Samoa.

Expanded Format for 2027

Argentina will take on Fiji, Spain and the Canadian team as the World Cup expands to 24 teams from the twenty who competed in 2023.

This edition will introduce a round of 16 stage for the very first time in Rugby World Cup existence.

While the winner 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 first knockout round.

Four of the other six pool winners will face a third-placed side from the pool stages.

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