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The English side and Wales will face off in an identical group for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, setting up a major early clash in the tournament Down Under. Completing the group in Group F by Tonga and Zimbabwe.

This draw recalls their infamous clash in the group phase of the 2015 tournament, where a Welsh win at Twickenham contributed to the hosts' shock group stage elimination.

Key Pool Draws

The Irish and the Scots have likewise been drawn in a pool once again, replicating the scenario from the 2023 edition. In that tournament, they claimed a 36-14 win, with their opponents unable to progress to the quarter-finals.

Los Teros and Os Lobos, who each made a strong impression as surprise packages in France, round out that same group.

Notably, the victors of both Pool D and Pool F cannot meet defending champions and top-ranked the Springboks until the final, presuming the Springboks win their own group.

Knockout Implications

If the pools play out according to the current world rankings, other leading contenders like New Zealand and Les Bleus would remain separated from the likes of the English and the Irish all the way to the championship decider.

In that scenario, Los Pumas would be the other highly-seeded nation on that side of the elimination bracket as England and Ireland.

Hosts Face Blockbuster Fixture

Tournament hosts the Wallabies have been drawn together with their great rivals and triple champions New Zealand in Group A.

The Wallabies will open the tournament in Perth on 1 October 2027 in a marquee match designed to launch the competition.

In other groups, holders South Africa have drawn the Azzurri, Georgia and Romania. France are grouped with Japan, future hosts the USA and Manu Samoa.

Larger Format for 2027

Argentina will take on the Flying Fijians, Spain and Canada as the World Cup expands to twenty-four nations from the 20 who took part in 2023.

The 2027 tournament will feature a round of 16 stage for the first time in the competition's existence.

Although the victor 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 – most likely the Italians – in the last 16.

A total of four of the remaining six group winners will play a team that finished third 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