IDEAL WORLD

Itoje dreaming big after being handed golden ticket to glory

- BY ADAM HATHAWAY

MARO ITOJE'S England were handed a dream World Cup draw - then the skipper told them to embrace the pressure of a shot at ruling the planet for the first time in almost 25 years.

England could hardly have done better as the pools for Australia 2027 were decided in Sydney yesterday, with Itoje looking to emulate 2003 hero Martin Johnson.

On form, and current world rankings, they would avoid four-time champions South Africa, New Zealand and France until the final in a huge stroke of fortune.

England are in Pool F with Wales, Tonga and Zimbabwe and their likely route to a fifth showpiece game would be Italy in the last 16, Australia in the quarters and Ireland or Argentina in the semifinals.