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The English side together with Wales have been drawn in the same pool for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, promising a major pool stage encounter in Australia. Completing the group in Group F by Tonga and Zimbabwe.

This pairing echoes their infamous clash in the group phase of the 2015 World Cup, where Wales' victory at England's home ground contributed to the English team's shock group stage elimination.

Other Notable Group Pairings

The Irish alongside Scotland have likewise been drawn in a group together, just as the situation from the France 2023 tournament. On that occasion, they secured a 36-14 victory, with Scotland unable to progress to the knockout stages.

Los Teros and Os Lobos, both impressed as surprise packages in the last World Cup, round out that Pool D.

Significantly, the victors of both Pool D and Pool F are kept apart from defending champions and world number one South Africa before the showpiece match, assuming the South Africans win their assigned pool.

Knockout Ramifications

If the groups play out according to the current world rankings, further top favourites like New Zealand and France would also be kept apart from the likes of England and the Irish until the championship decider.

In that scenario, Argentina would be the other highly-seeded nation on the same side of the knockout draw as England and Ireland.

Tournament Hosts Face Major Opener

Tournament hosts the Wallabies have been drawn alongside their great rivals and triple champions the All Blacks in Group A.

The Wallabies will open the World Cup in Perth on October 1st, 2027 in a blockbuster match designed to jump-start the competition.

Elsewhere, holders the Springboks have drawn the Azzurri, the Lelos and the Oaks. France are grouped with Japan, future hosts the United States and Samoa.

Expanded Format for 2027

Argentina will take on the Flying Fijians, Spain and Canada as the tournament expands to 24 teams from the 20 who took part in France.

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

Although the victor of England and Wales's group may be kept apart from some of the game's biggest beasts initially, they will have to face the runner-up from Group B – most likely the Italians – in the last 16.

A total of four of the remaining six group winners will play a third-placed side 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