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The English side together with their Welsh counterparts find themselves placed in the same pool for the World Cup in 2027, setting up a major early clash in Australia. They are joined in Group F by the Tongan Ikale Tahi and Zimbabwe.

This pairing recalls their infamous clash in the group phase of the 2015 tournament, where Wales' victory at England's home ground contributed to the English team's shock group stage elimination.

Key Group Draws

The Irish alongside the Scots have likewise been drawn in a group together, just as the scenario from the France 2023 tournament. On that occasion, they claimed a convincing victory, with Scotland unable to advance to the knockout stages.

Los Teros and Os Lobos, who each made a strong impression as surprise packages in France, complete that Pool D.

Notably, the winners of both Pool D and Pool F cannot meet holders and world number one South Africa before the final, presuming the Springboks top their assigned pool.

Knockout Implications

If the pools play out in line with the current global standings, other top favourites like New Zealand and France would also be kept apart from both the English and the Irish all the way to the championship decider.

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

Tournament Hosts Face Major Fixture

Hosts the Wallabies find themselves alongside their great rivals and three-time winners the All Blacks in Group A.

The Wallabies will kick off the tournament in the city of Perth on 1 October 2027 in a marquee fixture designed to jump-start the competition.

Elsewhere, holders the Springboks have been paired with Italy, the Lelos and Romania. France are in a pool with the Brave Blossoms, future hosts the United States and Manu Samoa.

Larger Tournament for 2027

Argentina will face the Flying Fijians, Spain and the Canadian team as the World Cup expands to twenty-four nations from the twenty who competed in 2023.

The 2027 tournament will introduce a last-16 round for the very first time in Rugby World Cup history.

While the winner of England and Wales's group may be kept apart from some of the game's heavyweights early on, they will have to face the second-placed team from Group B – most likely Italy – in the last 16.

A total of four of the other six pool winners will play a team that finished third 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