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England together with Wales will face off in an identical group for the 2027 RWC, setting up a highly-anticipated early encounter in the tournament Down Under. They are joined in Pool F by Tonga and Zimbabwe.

This pairing echoes their famous clash in the pool stages of the 2015 World Cup, where Wales' victory at Twickenham played a part in the hosts' shock group stage elimination.

Key Group Draws

The Irish alongside the Scots have likewise been drawn in a group once again, replicating the scenario from the 2023 edition. In that tournament, Ireland claimed a 36-14 win, with Scotland unable to advance to the quarter-finals.

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

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

Tournament Implications

If the groups conclude according to the current global standings, other leading contenders like New Zealand and Les Bleus would also be kept apart from both England and the Irish until the championship decider.

In that scenario, Argentina would be the other top-ranked nation on that side of the elimination bracket as those northern hemisphere teams.

Hosts Draw Blockbuster Opener

Hosts Australia have been drawn together with their great rivals and three-time winners the All Blacks in Group A.

The Wallabies will open the tournament in Perth on 1 October 2027 in a marquee fixture designed to jump-start the event.

In other groups, holders South Africa have been paired with Italy, Georgia and the Oaks. France are in a pool with the Brave Blossoms, future hosts the USA and Manu Samoa.

Larger Format for 2027

Los Pumas will face the Flying Fijians, Los Leones and the Canadian team as the World Cup expands to twenty-four nations from the twenty who competed in France.

This edition will feature a last-16 stage for the very first time in the competition's history.

While the victor of Pool F may avoid some of the game's heavyweights early on, they will meet the second-placed team from Group B – probably the Italians – in the last 16.

Four of the remaining six pool winners will play a third-placed side from the pool stages.

RWC 2027 Draw

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