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The English side together with their Welsh counterparts have been drawn in the same pool for the 2027 RWC, promising a major early encounter in Australia. Completing the group in Group F by Tonga and the Zimbabwean Sables.

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

Other Notable Pool Pairings

Ireland and the Scots have likewise been drawn in a pool once again, just as the situation from the 2023 edition. In that tournament, Ireland claimed a convincing win, with Scotland failing to progress to the knockout stages.

Los Teros and Portugal, both made a strong impression as underdogs in France, round out that same group.

Notably, the winners of both Pool D and Pool F are kept apart from holders and top-ranked the Springboks until the showpiece match, assuming the Springboks top their own group.

Knockout Ramifications

Should the groups conclude according to the current world rankings, further top favourites like New Zealand and Les Bleus would also be kept apart from both the English and the Irish all the way to the final.

Under those circumstances, Los Pumas would be the remaining highly-seeded nation on the same side of the knockout draw as those northern hemisphere teams.

Hosts Draw Major Fixture

Tournament hosts Australia have been drawn alongside their trans-Tasman rivals and three-time winners New Zealand in Pool A.

The Wallabies will open the tournament in the city of Perth on 1 October 2027 in a marquee match designed to launch the competition.

In other groups, holders South Africa have been paired with Italy, Georgia and the Oaks. France are grouped with the Brave Blossoms, 2031 hosts the United States and Samoa.

Larger Format for 2027

Los Pumas will take on the Flying Fijians, Spain and the Canadian team as the World Cup expands to 24 teams from the 20 who took part in France.

The 2027 tournament will feature a round of 16 round for the first time in Rugby World Cup existence.

While the victor of Pool F may avoid some of the rugby's heavyweights early on, they will meet the runner-up from Pool B – probably the Italians – in the last 16.

A total of four of the remaining six pool winners will play a team that finished third from the pool stages.

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