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England and their Welsh counterparts find themselves placed in the same group for the 2027 RWC, promising a major pool stage encounter in Australia. Completing the group in Group F by the Tongan Ikale Tahi and the Zimbabwean Sables.

This pairing recalls their memorable meeting in the group phase of the 2015 tournament, where a Welsh win at Twickenham played a part in the English team's shock group stage elimination.

Other Notable Group Pairings

The Irish alongside Scotland also share a group once again, replicating the scenario from the France 2023 tournament. On that occasion, Ireland claimed a convincing win, with their opponents failing to advance to the quarter-finals.

Uruguay and Os Lobos, both made a strong impression as surprise packages in France, complete that Pool D.

Significantly, the victors of these two groups cannot meet holders and top-ranked South Africa before the showpiece match, assuming the South Africans top their assigned pool.

Tournament Ramifications

If the groups conclude according to the current world rankings, other leading contenders like New Zealand and France would also be kept apart from the likes of England and the Irish all the way to the championship decider.

Under those circumstances, Argentina would be the other top-ranked nation on the same half of the knockout draw as England and Ireland.

Tournament Hosts Draw Blockbuster Opener

Tournament hosts Australia have been drawn alongside their great rivals and triple champions the All Blacks in Pool A.

Australia will kick off the World Cup in Perth on October 1st, 2027 in a marquee fixture designed to jump-start the competition.

In other groups, holders South Africa have drawn Italy, the Lelos and the Oaks. The French team are in a pool with Japan, future hosts the United States and Manu Samoa.

Expanded Format for 2027

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

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

Although the victor of England and Wales's group may avoid some of the game's heavyweights initially, they will meet the runner-up from Pool B – probably the Italians – in the last 16.

Four of the remaining six group winners will face a third-placed side 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