The Rugby World Cup 2027 draw is set, and England have their marching orders. Steve Borthwick’s men kick off their campaign against Tonga on 2 October at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane — a proper test to open the tournament.
England’s Rugby World Cup 2027 Pool Stage Schedule
After the Tonga opener, England travel to Adelaide Oval to face Zimbabwe on 8 October before closing out pool play in style — a crunch clash with Wales at Stadium Australia in Sydney on 16 October. Three games, three very different challenges, and everything to play for.
Meanwhile, hosts Australia get the whole tournament rolling on 1 October in Perth against Hong Kong China, who are making their Rugby World Cup debut. Notably, tournament organisers chose not to throw Australia and New Zealand into the opening fixture — that trans-Tasman blockbuster instead lands on 9 October. Ireland and Scotland collide on 10 October, rounding out what looks like a mouth-watering group stage.
England’s Potential Knockout Path — and an Australia Showdown
Should England top their pool, they face the second-placed side from Pool B — which contains South Africa, Italy, Romania and Georgia — in the round of 16 in Perth. Not exactly a free ride.
Furthermore, if England finish second in their group and still progress, the quarterfinal could set up a huge collision with Australia on home soil. That is the kind of fixture that gets the whole sport talking. BBC Sport will no doubt have plenty more on the build-up as we edge closer to what promises to be a spectacular tournament Down Under.