There will be two all-Home Nations matches in the 2027 Rugby World Cup group stages following Wednesday’s draw.
England, champions in 2003, will face Wales in Pool F, while Ireland and Scotland will go head-to-head in Pool D. The tournament, which will be held in Australia, will be an expanded one with 24 teams for the first time.
The last time England and Wales met in the Rugby World Cup was in 2015 when the former were hosts. That was a nightmare tournament for England as they were dumped out in the pool stages, with Wales’ victory over their bitter rivals contributing to that.
For Ireland and Scotland, they met at the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France – with Ireland prevailing 36-14 in their pool clash.
Completing England and Wales’ group are Tonga and Zimbabwe. Finishing Ireland and Scotland’s are Uruguay and Portugal.
England captain Maro Itoje hopes to avenge Wales World Cup loss
England captain Maro Itoje is hoping his side can avoid a repeat scenario from the debacle of 2015 when they face Wales.
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.’
Elsewhere with the 2027 Rugby World Cup draw
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, South Africa 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.’
2027 Rugby World Cup draw
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
