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England and Wales find themselves placed in an identical group for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, setting up a major early clash in Australia. They are joined in Group F by Tonga and the Zimbabwean Sables.

This draw recalls their memorable meeting in the group phase of the 2015 World Cup, where Wales' victory at Twickenham played a part in the English team's surprise early exit.

Key Pool Draws

Ireland and Scotland also share a pool together, replicating the situation from the 2023 edition. On that occasion, they claimed a 36-14 win, with Scotland failing to advance to the quarter-finals.

Uruguay and Os Lobos, who each impressed as underdogs in France, round out that same group.

Significantly, the victors of these two groups are kept apart from defending champions and world number one the Springboks before the showpiece match, assuming the South Africans top their own group.

Knockout Ramifications

If the pools play out according to the current global standings, other top favourites like the All Blacks and France would also be kept apart from the likes of England and the Irish all the way to the championship decider.

Under those circumstances, Argentina would be the other top-ranked nation on the same side of the elimination bracket as those northern hemisphere teams.

Hosts Face Major Fixture

Hosts the Wallabies find themselves together with their great rivals and triple champions New Zealand in Pool A.

Australia will kick off the tournament in the city of Perth on October 1st, 2027 in a blockbuster match aimed at launch the event.

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

Expanded Tournament for 2027

Argentina will face Fiji, Spain and Canada as the tournament grows to 24 teams from the twenty who competed in France.

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

While the victor of England and Wales's group may avoid some of the game's heavyweights initially, they will meet the second-placed team from Group B – probably the Italians – in the last 16.

A total of four of the other six group winners will play a team that finished third from the initial group phase.

Rugby World Cup 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