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England together with Wales will face off in the same group for the World Cup in 2027, promising a major early clash in Australia. Completing the group in Pool F by the Tongan Ikale Tahi and the Zimbabwean Sables.

This pairing echoes their famous clash in the group phase of the 2015 tournament, where a Welsh win at Twickenham played a part in the English team's surprise group stage elimination.

Key Pool Draws

Ireland and the Scots also share a pool once again, just as the scenario from the France 2023 tournament. On that occasion, Ireland claimed a convincing victory, with Scotland unable to progress to the quarter-finals.

Uruguay and Os Lobos, both made a strong impression as underdogs in the last World Cup, round out that Pool D.

Significantly, the victors of these two groups are kept apart from defending champions and world number one the Springboks until the showpiece match, presuming the Springboks top their assigned pool.

Tournament Ramifications

If the pools conclude according to the current global standings, other top favourites like the All Blacks and Les Bleus would also be kept apart from both England and the Irish all the way to the final.

Under those circumstances, Los Pumas would be the remaining highly-seeded nation on that half of the knockout draw as England and Ireland.

Tournament Hosts Draw Blockbuster Fixture

Tournament hosts Australia have been drawn alongside their great rivals and three-time winners New Zealand in Group A.

The Wallabies will kick off the tournament in the city of Perth on 1 October 2027 in a blockbuster fixture aimed at launch the event.

Elsewhere, holders South Africa have been paired with the Azzurri, the Lelos and Romania. France are grouped with Japan, 2031 hosts the USA and Samoa.

Expanded Format for 2027

Argentina will take on the Flying Fijians, Spain and the Canadian team as the tournament grows to twenty-four nations from the 20 who took part in France.

This edition will introduce a round of 16 stage for the first time in Rugby World Cup existence.

Although the winner of England and Wales's group may be kept apart from some of the rugby's heavyweights early on, they will have to face the runner-up from Pool B – most likely Italy – in the first knockout round.

Four of the remaining six group 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