Home nations clash in World Cup group stage

ENGLAND and Wales will clash in the group stage of the 2027 Men’s Rugby World Cup.

- By DUNCAN BECH

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.

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.