England and Wales will clash in the group stage of the 2027 Men’s Rugby World Cup.
The two nations were both named in Pool F for the expanded tournament in Australia, which for the first time will feature 24 teams.
England and Wales are joined by Tonga and Zimbabwe, while Ireland and Scotland will meet in Pool D along with Uruguay and Portugal.
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Wales famously beat England at the same stage of the 2015 World Cup to push the hosts towards elimination, and England captain Maro Itoje is eager to avoid a repeat scenario.
Itoje, then 20, was called up to England’s training squad for the competition but failed to make the final cut, and recalls watching England’s dramatic 28-25 defeat.
Itoje said: “I was supporting England at the time and Wales obviously won the game, so it wasn’t the best day from an England point of view but hopefully this time round it’ll be a little different.
“Our ambition is to do very well and win this tournament. That’s our objective, but to do that we know we have to make sure we get our preparation right, and the next two years leading to the World Cup is massive.
“We need to build throughout the time and make sure we’re tracking in the right direction.”
Wales head coach Steve Tandy echoed Itoje’s sentiments about a home nation showpiece on the biggest stage, saying: “It’s just exciting.
“Obviously, going to the World Cup, seeing the draw, different format, with smaller groups, just can’t wait to get started. I know it’s two years away but the excitement builds straight away.
“Those big games against England are always massive and being in the World Cup they seem bigger.
“But Tonga and Zimbabwe pose different challenges as well. So, I think, overall, just unbelievably exciting and obviously, the England game, most people will focus on.”
Hosts Australia missed out on being among the top six teams in pot one and paid the price when they were paired with rivals New Zealand in Pool A.
Debutants Hong Kong face a baptism of fire in the same group along with Chile, while two-time defending champions South Africa are in Pool B with Italy, Georgia and Romania.
France head Pool E, which also includes Japan, while Argentina and Fiji are in Pool C.
The tournament will take place from October 1 to November 13. The top two teams from each pool will advance to the knockout stages along with the four highest-ranked third-placed teams.
England head coach Steve Borthwick refused to be drawn on potential opponents beyond the group stage, nor the fact that three of the other heavyweights – New Zealand, Australia and France – are seeded to stay on the opposite side of the draw.
“We know the margins in the knockout games, with so many decided by less than three points, and that’s where you experience counts,” added Borthwick.
“So over the next two years we’re going to be working very, very hard in that direction.”
Rugby World Cup 2027 Pools
Pool A: New Zealand, Australia, Chile, Hong Kong China
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