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The English side and Wales find themselves placed in an identical pool for the 2027 RWC, promising a highly-anticipated pool stage encounter in the tournament Down Under. Completing the group in Group F by Tonga and Zimbabwe.

This pairing recalls their infamous meeting in the group phase of the 2015 tournament, where Wales' victory at England's home ground played a part in the hosts' surprise early exit.

Other Notable Pool Pairings

The Irish and Scotland have likewise been drawn in a pool together, replicating the scenario from the France 2023 tournament. On that occasion, Ireland secured a convincing win, with their opponents failing to progress to the knockout stages.

Uruguay and Os Lobos, who each impressed as surprise packages in the last World Cup, round out that same group.

Notably, the winners of these two groups cannot meet holders and world number one South Africa before the showpiece match, assuming the South Africans top their assigned pool.

Knockout Ramifications

If the pools play out in line with the current world rankings, further top favourites like the All Blacks and Les Bleus would remain separated from the likes of England and the Irish until the final.

In that scenario, Argentina would be the other highly-seeded nation on the same side of the knockout draw as England and Ireland.

Hosts Draw Blockbuster Fixture

Tournament hosts Australia find themselves together with their trans-Tasman rivals and triple champions New Zealand in Pool A.

Australia will open the World Cup in the city of Perth on October 1st, 2027 in a blockbuster fixture designed to jump-start the event.

In other groups, reigning champions South Africa have been paired with Italy, the Lelos and Romania. France are grouped with the Brave Blossoms, future hosts the USA and Samoa.

Larger Tournament for 2027

Los Pumas will face the Flying Fijians, Spain and the Canadian team as the tournament expands to twenty-four nations from the twenty who took part in France.

The 2027 tournament will introduce a last-16 stage for the first time in Rugby World Cup existence.

Although the victor of England and Wales's group may be kept apart from some of the rugby's heavyweights initially, they will meet the runner-up from Group B – most likely the Italians – in the last 16.

Four of the other six pool winners will face a third-placed side 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