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England together with Wales will face off in an identical group for the World Cup in 2027, setting up a highly-anticipated early encounter in Australia. Completing the group in Group F by Tonga and Zimbabwe.

This pairing mirrors their infamous meeting in the pool stages of the 2015 World Cup, where a Welsh win at England's home ground contributed to the hosts' surprise early exit.

Key Pool Draws

Ireland and the Scots also share a pool together, replicating the scenario from the 2023 edition. On that occasion, Ireland claimed a convincing win, with their opponents unable to advance to the quarter-finals.

Los Teros and Portugal, both made a strong impression as surprise packages in the last World Cup, complete that same group.

Significantly, the victors of these two groups cannot meet defending champions and top-ranked South Africa until the showpiece match, assuming the South Africans top their own group.

Knockout Implications

Should the pools conclude in line with the current global standings, other top favourites like the All Blacks and France would remain separated from the likes of England and Ireland all the way to the championship decider.

In that scenario, Argentina would be the remaining highly-seeded nation on the same half of the elimination bracket as England and Ireland.

Hosts Draw Major Opener

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

Australia will kick off the World Cup in the city of Perth on 1 October 2027 in a marquee fixture aimed at launch the competition.

In other groups, holders the Springboks have drawn the Azzurri, Georgia and the Oaks. The French team are in a pool with Japan, 2031 hosts the United States and Manu Samoa.

Larger Tournament for 2027

Argentina will face Fiji, Spain and the Canadian team as the World Cup expands to 24 teams from the twenty who competed in France.

This edition will feature a last-16 round for the very first time in the competition's existence.

Although the winner of Pool F may avoid some of the game's heavyweights initially, they will have to face the second-placed team from Pool B – probably Italy – in the last 16.

Four of the other 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