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England together with Wales will face off in the same group for the 2027 RWC, promising a major early encounter in Australia. They are joined in Group F by the Tongan Ikale Tahi and the Zimbabwean Sables.

This pairing recalls their famous meeting in the pool stages of the 2015 tournament, where a Welsh win at England's home ground contributed to the hosts' shock group stage elimination.

Key Pool Pairings

The Irish and Scotland also share a pool together, just as the scenario from the 2023 edition. On that occasion, Ireland claimed a convincing win, with their opponents unable to advance to the quarter-finals.

Uruguay and Os Lobos, both made a strong impression as underdogs in France, round out that Pool D.

Notably, the victors of these two groups are kept apart from holders and world number one South Africa until the showpiece match, assuming the Springboks win their own group.

Tournament Ramifications

Should the pools conclude in line with the current world rankings, further top favourites like New Zealand and Les Bleus would also be kept apart from the likes of the English 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 elimination bracket as England and Ireland.

Tournament Hosts Face Blockbuster Opener

Tournament hosts the Wallabies have been drawn alongside their great rivals and three-time winners the All Blacks in Group A.

Australia will kick off the tournament in the city of Perth on 1 October 2027 in a marquee fixture designed to launch the competition.

Elsewhere, reigning champions the Springboks have been paired with Italy, the Lelos and Romania. The French team are in a pool with Japan, 2031 hosts the United States and Manu Samoa.

Expanded Format for 2027

Argentina will face Fiji, Los Leones and Canada as the tournament expands to twenty-four nations from the 20 who took part in France.

This edition will feature a last-16 round for the first time in Rugby World Cup history.

While the victor of Pool F may be kept apart from some of the rugby's heavyweights initially, they will have to face the runner-up from Group B – probably Italy – in the first knockout round.

A total of four of the remaining six pool winners will face a third-placed side from the initial group phase.

RWC 2027 Draw

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