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The English side and Wales will face off in the same pool for the 2027 RWC, promising a major pool stage clash in Australia. Completing the group in Pool F by the Tongan Ikale Tahi and the Zimbabwean Sables.

This draw mirrors their famous meeting in the pool stages of the 2015 tournament, where Wales' victory at Twickenham played a part in the English team's shock early exit.

Other Notable Pool Draws

Ireland and Scotland have likewise been drawn in a pool together, replicating the scenario from the 2023 edition. In that tournament, Ireland claimed a 36-14 victory, with Scotland failing to progress to the quarter-finals.

Uruguay and Portugal, who each impressed as surprise packages in France, round out that same group.

Significantly, the victors of these two groups cannot meet defending champions and top-ranked South Africa until the showpiece match, presuming the Springboks win their own group.

Knockout Ramifications

If the groups play out in line with the current world rankings, further leading contenders like New Zealand and Les Bleus would also be kept apart from both the English and the Irish until the final.

Under those circumstances, Los Pumas would be the remaining top-ranked nation on the same half of the knockout draw as those northern hemisphere teams.

Tournament Hosts Draw Major Opener

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

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

In other groups, holders South Africa have been paired with the Azzurri, Georgia and the Oaks. The French team are in a pool with Japan, future hosts the USA and Manu Samoa.

Larger Tournament for 2027

Los Pumas will take on the Flying Fijians, Los Leones and the Canadian team as the World Cup expands to 24 teams from the 20 who competed in France.

The 2027 tournament will feature a round of 16 round for the very first time in Rugby World Cup existence.

While the winner of England and Wales's group may be kept apart from some of the rugby's heavyweights initially, they will meet the second-placed team from Group B – most likely Italy – in the first knockout round.

A total of four of the remaining six pool 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