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England and Wales will face off in an identical pool for the 2027 RWC, setting up a major early encounter in the tournament Down Under. They are joined in Group F by Tonga and Zimbabwe.

This draw recalls their memorable meeting in the pool stages of the 2015 tournament, where a Welsh win at England's home ground played a part in the hosts' shock early exit.

Key Pool Draws

Ireland alongside Scotland have likewise been drawn in a pool together, replicating the scenario from the 2023 edition. In that tournament, they secured a convincing victory, with Scotland failing to progress to the quarter-finals.

Los Teros and Os Lobos, who each made a strong impression as underdogs in France, complete that Pool D.

Notably, the victors of both Pool D and Pool F are kept apart from holders and top-ranked the Springboks before the showpiece match, assuming the Springboks win their assigned pool.

Tournament Implications

If the groups play out according to the current world rankings, other leading contenders like the All Blacks and France would remain separated from both the English and the Irish all the way to the final.

In that scenario, Los Pumas would be the other highly-seeded nation on that half of the knockout draw as England and Ireland.

Hosts Face Major Opener

Tournament hosts the Wallabies have been drawn together with their trans-Tasman rivals and three-time winners the All Blacks in Group A.

Australia will open the tournament in the city of Perth on October 1st, 2027 in a marquee fixture aimed at launch the event.

In other groups, reigning champions South Africa have drawn Italy, Georgia and Romania. France are grouped with Japan, 2031 hosts the United States and Samoa.

Larger Tournament for 2027

Los Pumas will take on Fiji, Los Leones and the Canadian team as the tournament grows to 24 teams from the 20 who competed in 2023.

This edition will introduce a round of 16 round for the very first time in the competition's existence.

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 the Italians – in the first knockout round.

Four of the other six group winners will play a team that finished third 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