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England together with their Welsh counterparts have been drawn in the same group for the 2027 RWC, setting up a highly-anticipated pool stage clash in Australia. They are joined in Group F by the Tongan Ikale Tahi and Zimbabwe.

This pairing mirrors their famous clash in the pool stages of the 2015 World Cup, where Wales' victory at England's home ground played a part in the English team's shock early exit.

Key Group Pairings

Ireland alongside the Scots have likewise been drawn in a group together, just as the scenario from the France 2023 tournament. On that occasion, Ireland secured a convincing victory, with their opponents unable to progress to the knockout stages.

Uruguay and Portugal, who each made a strong impression as surprise packages in France, complete that same group.

Significantly, the winners of these two groups cannot meet holders and world number one the Springboks until the final, assuming the South Africans top their assigned pool.

Knockout Ramifications

Should the pools conclude according to the current global standings, other top favourites like the All Blacks and France would remain separated from the likes of England and Ireland until the championship decider.

Under those circumstances, Argentina would be the remaining highly-seeded nation on the same side of the knockout draw as those northern hemisphere teams.

Tournament Hosts Draw Major Opener

Hosts Australia find themselves alongside their trans-Tasman rivals and three-time winners New Zealand in Pool A.

The Wallabies will open the tournament in the city of Perth on October 1st, 2027 in a blockbuster match aimed at launch the event.

In other groups, reigning champions South Africa have drawn the Azzurri, Georgia and Romania. France are grouped with Japan, future hosts the United States and Samoa.

Expanded Tournament for 2027

Los Pumas will face Fiji, Los Leones and the Canadian team as the tournament grows to 24 teams from the 20 who took part in France.

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

Although the winner of England and Wales's group may be kept apart from some of the game's heavyweights early on, they will meet the runner-up from Group B – probably Italy – in the first knockout round.

A total of four of the other six group winners will face a team that finished third from the pool stages.

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