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The English side and Wales will face off in an identical group for the World Cup in 2027, promising a highly-anticipated early encounter in Australia. They are joined in Group F by the Tongan Ikale Tahi and Zimbabwe.

This draw recalls their infamous clash in the pool stages of the 2015 tournament, where Wales' victory at England's home ground contributed to the English team's shock early exit.

Other Notable Pool Pairings

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

Uruguay and Os Lobos, who each impressed as surprise packages in the last World Cup, round out that Pool D.

Notably, the winners of these two groups are kept apart from holders and world number one South Africa until the final, presuming the South Africans win their own group.

Tournament Ramifications

Should the groups conclude according to the current world rankings, other leading contenders like the All Blacks and Les Bleus would remain separated from the likes of the English and Ireland until the final.

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

Tournament Hosts Face Blockbuster Fixture

Tournament hosts Australia find themselves together with their great 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 fixture aimed at launch the competition.

In other groups, holders South Africa have been paired with the Azzurri, Georgia and Romania. The French team are grouped with Japan, 2031 hosts the United States and Manu Samoa.

Expanded Format for 2027

Los Pumas will face the Flying Fijians, Los Leones and the Canadian team as the World Cup grows to 24 teams from the 20 who took part in 2023.

The 2027 tournament will introduce a round of 16 stage for the first time in the competition's history.

While the victor of Pool F may avoid some of the rugby's biggest beasts initially, they will meet the second-placed team from Group B – probably Italy – in the last 16.

A total of four of the remaining six pool winners will face a third-placed side 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