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England and their Welsh counterparts will face off in the same group for the World Cup in 2027, promising a major early encounter in the tournament Down Under. Completing the group in Group F by Tonga and the Zimbabwean Sables.

This pairing echoes their infamous clash in the pool stages of the 2015 tournament, where a Welsh win at Twickenham played a part in the hosts' surprise early exit.

Key Group Pairings

Ireland alongside Scotland also share a pool together, just as the scenario from the 2023 edition. In that tournament, they secured a 36-14 victory, with their opponents failing to advance to the quarter-finals.

Uruguay and Os Lobos, both made a strong impression as underdogs in France, complete that same group.

Significantly, the winners of both Pool D and Pool F are kept apart from holders and top-ranked South Africa until the final, presuming the Springboks top their own group.

Tournament Implications

Should the groups conclude according to the current world rankings, other top favourites like New Zealand and France would remain separated from the likes of the English and Ireland until the final.

Under those circumstances, Los Pumas would be the remaining top-ranked nation on the same half of the knockout draw as those northern hemisphere teams.

Tournament Hosts Face Major Opener

Tournament hosts Australia find themselves alongside their great rivals and three-time winners the All Blacks in Pool A.

The Wallabies will open the World Cup in Perth on 1 October 2027 in a marquee match aimed at launch the event.

Elsewhere, holders South Africa have been paired with Italy, Georgia and Romania. France are in a pool with Japan, future hosts the USA and Manu Samoa.

Expanded Format for 2027

Los Pumas will take on the Flying Fijians, Spain and the Canadian team as the World Cup grows to 24 teams from the twenty who took part in 2023.

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

While the winner of England and Wales's group may be kept apart from some of the rugby's heavyweights initially, they will have to face 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 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