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The English side together with Wales find themselves placed in the same group for the 2027 RWC, promising a major pool stage clash in Australia. Completing the group in Pool F by Tonga and Zimbabwe.

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

Other Notable Group Draws

Ireland and the Scots also share a pool together, replicating the scenario from the France 2023 tournament. On that occasion, they secured a 36-14 win, with Scotland unable to progress to the knockout stages.

Uruguay and Os Lobos, who each impressed as underdogs in France, complete that Pool D.

Significantly, the victors of both Pool D and Pool F are kept apart from holders and world number one the Springboks until the final, assuming the South Africans top their assigned pool.

Knockout Implications

If the pools play out according to the current world rankings, further leading contenders like the All Blacks and France would remain separated from both England and Ireland all the way to the championship decider.

Under those circumstances, Los Pumas would be the remaining top-ranked nation on that half of the elimination bracket as those northern hemisphere teams.

Hosts Draw Blockbuster Fixture

Tournament hosts the Wallabies have been drawn together with their great rivals and three-time winners New Zealand in Pool A.

Australia will open the World Cup in Perth on October 1st, 2027 in a blockbuster fixture designed to launch the event.

In other groups, reigning champions South Africa have been paired with the Azzurri, Georgia and the Oaks. The French team are in a pool with the Brave Blossoms, future hosts the United States and Samoa.

Larger Format for 2027

Los Pumas 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.

This edition will feature a round of 16 stage for the very first time in Rugby World Cup 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 meet the second-placed team from Pool B – most likely the Italians – in the first knockout round.

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