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England together with their Welsh counterparts will face off in an identical group for the 2027 RWC, promising a major early encounter in the tournament Down Under. They are joined in Group F by Tonga and Zimbabwe.

This pairing echoes their infamous meeting in the group phase of the 2015 World Cup, where Wales' victory at England's home ground contributed to the hosts' shock early exit.

Key Group Pairings

Ireland alongside the Scots have likewise been drawn in a group once again, just as the situation from the 2023 edition. On that occasion, Ireland claimed a 36-14 win, with Scotland failing to progress to the quarter-finals.

Uruguay and Portugal, both impressed as surprise packages in the last World Cup, round out that same group.

Notably, the victors of these two groups cannot meet holders and top-ranked the Springboks until the showpiece match, assuming the South Africans win their assigned pool.

Tournament Ramifications

If the groups conclude in line with the current global standings, further top favourites like New Zealand and Les Bleus would remain separated from both England and Ireland until the championship decider.

Under those circumstances, Los Pumas would be the other top-ranked nation on that half of the knockout draw as England and Ireland.

Tournament Hosts Draw Major Opener

Hosts Australia have been drawn together with their trans-Tasman rivals and triple champions the All Blacks in Pool A.

Australia will kick off the tournament in Perth on October 1st, 2027 in a marquee match designed to launch the event.

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

Larger Tournament for 2027

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

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

Although the winner of Pool F may be kept apart from some of the game's biggest beasts early on, they will meet the runner-up from Group B – most likely the Italians – in the first knockout round.

Four of the remaining six group winners will play a third-placed side from the pool stages.

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