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England and their Welsh counterparts have been drawn in the same group for the 2027 RWC, promising a highly-anticipated pool stage clash in Australia. Completing the group in Pool F by Tonga and Zimbabwe.

This draw recalls their famous clash in the group phase of the 2015 World Cup, where a Welsh win at England's home ground contributed to the hosts' surprise group stage elimination.

Other Notable Pool Draws

The Irish and the Scots have likewise been drawn in a pool once again, just as the scenario from the 2023 edition. On that occasion, Ireland secured a convincing victory, with their opponents unable to progress to the quarter-finals.

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

Notably, the winners of both Pool D and Pool F are kept apart from holders and top-ranked South Africa before the final, presuming the South Africans top their own group.

Knockout Implications

If the pools play out in line with the current global standings, further leading contenders like New Zealand and Les Bleus would remain separated from both England and the Irish until the final.

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

Hosts Draw Blockbuster Fixture

Tournament hosts the Wallabies find themselves together with their trans-Tasman rivals and three-time winners New Zealand in Pool A.

The Wallabies will kick off the tournament in Perth on October 1st, 2027 in a marquee match designed to launch the event.

In other groups, holders the Springboks have been paired with the Azzurri, the Lelos and the Oaks. The French team are grouped with the Brave Blossoms, 2031 hosts the United States and Manu Samoa.

Expanded Tournament for 2027

Argentina will face the Flying Fijians, Spain and the Canadian team as the tournament expands to twenty-four nations from the 20 who competed in France.

The 2027 tournament will introduce a last-16 stage for the first time in Rugby World Cup existence.

While the winner of Pool F may avoid some of the game's heavyweights early on, they will meet the runner-up from Pool B – most likely the Italians – in the first knockout round.

A total of four of the remaining six pool winners will face a third-placed side 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