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The English side and Wales will face off in an identical pool for the 2027 RWC, setting up a highly-anticipated pool stage clash in the tournament Down Under. They are joined in Pool F by the Tongan Ikale Tahi and Zimbabwe.

This draw echoes their infamous clash in the pool stages of the 2015 tournament, where Wales' victory at England's home ground contributed to the hosts' surprise group stage elimination.

Other Notable Group Draws

The Irish and the Scots also share a pool once again, replicating the scenario from the 2023 edition. In that tournament, they secured a convincing victory, with Scotland unable to advance to the quarter-finals.

Uruguay and Portugal, who each made a strong impression as underdogs in France, round out that Pool D.

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

Tournament Ramifications

If the groups conclude according to the current global standings, further top favourites like the All Blacks and Les Bleus would remain separated from both the English and Ireland all the way to the championship decider.

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

Hosts Draw Blockbuster Fixture

Hosts the Wallabies find themselves alongside their trans-Tasman rivals and three-time winners New Zealand in Group A.

The Wallabies will kick off the tournament in the city of Perth on October 1st, 2027 in a marquee match aimed at jump-start the competition.

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

Larger Format for 2027

Los Pumas will take on Fiji, Los Leones and Canada as the tournament grows to twenty-four nations from the 20 who competed in 2023.

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

While the victor of Pool F may be kept apart from some of the game's heavyweights initially, they will meet the runner-up from Group B – most likely Italy – in the last 16.

A total of four of the other six pool winners will face 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