Under the guidance of Steve Borthwick, England will compete in Pool F, facing off against Wales, Tonga, and Zimbabwe.

The schedule appears advantageous for England, as they are set to avoid playing against any group winners until reaching the semi-finals.

Assuming the top-seeded teams—England, Ireland, South Africa, and New Zealand—advance as expected, England would meet Australia in the quarter-finals.

If England, Ireland, South Africa and New Zealand progress as expected according to their seed rankings, Borthwick’s men would face Australia in the quarter-final. 

They would then meet Ireland, who have never made it past the last eight, in the semi-final.

And in the showpiece, England would cross paths with one of the southern hemisphere giants in South Africa or the All Blacks – unless France can upset one of those juggernauts on the other side of the draw. 

England will face off against Wales in the group stages of the 2027 Rugby World Cup

Wales are not the force they used to be but the encounter will bring back memories of the 2015 World Cup, when Dan Biggar helped dump England out of their home World Cup

England went into the draw as one of the top seeds after winning 11 Tests in a row in 2025. 

Wales are not the force they used to be but the encounter will bring back memories of the 2015 World Cup, when Dan Biggar helped dump England out of their home World Cup. 

So England will be strong favourites to top their pool but they could face a tricky quarter-final against hosts Australia, should they finish second to the All Blacks in Pool A. 

It remains to be seen what kind of shape the Wallabies will be in by the time the World Cup rolls around but England would no doubt prefer their potential route to the final than be on the other side of the draw. 

If Fiji finish second as expected in their group with Argentina, Spain and Canada, they will likely take on the French in the quarter-final, while New Zealand may face the Springboks or Italy. 

By the time South Africa, New Zealand or France would reach the final they will have had to deal with some brutal encounters. 

That could also play into England’s hands if they’re able to come through their side. 

Much was made of the physical and mental toll taken by England in their semi-final win over New Zealand two tournaments ago in Japan before they lost the final. 

Steve Borthwick’s side have been placed in Pool F alongside the Welsh, Tonga and Zimbabwe (Pictured: Morgan Turinui and Rugby Australia boss Phil Waugh with the Web Ellis Cup on Wednesday) 

Argentina may also fancy their chances of beating Ireland in a potential quarter-final meeting. 

Los Pumas have overcome the Irish twice at that stage of the tournament in previous editions.

Ireland and Scotland have also been drawn in the same group and Andy Farrell’s side would be favourites there.

South Africa, who are on a mission to win their third consecutive World Cup title under Rassie Erasmus, should swat aside Italy, Georgia and Romania in Pool D. 

The narrative that could pervade the World Cup would be what looks like a split between the hemispheres in the likely routes to the final. 

England remain the only northern hemisphere nation to win the Webb Ellis Trophy in 2003 but will be quietly confident they can do so again after the draw fell favorably on Wednesday.