England will face Wales in Sydney in a possible pool stage decider at the 2027 Rugby World Cup, it has been confirmed as the tournament fixtures have been released.
Following December’s draw, the full tournament schedule was announced on Monday night (Tuesday morning in Australia), giving England a 15-day schedule of games against Tonga, Zimbabwe and Wales.
England will open the campaign against Tonga on October 2 in Brisbane, then face Zimbabwe in Adelaide on October 8, before finishing the pool stage against Wales on October 16 at Australia Stadium in Sydney, who will host the final on November 13.
Given their opposition, both England and Wales would expect to qualify for the knockout stages, but top spot in Group F could be crucial in allowing one of them an easier path forward.
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England coach Steve Borthwick and captain Maro Itoje have given their reactions to the 2027 Rugby World Cup draw in December.
The winner of the group will play in the final in Perth, while the runners-up will play in Sydney.
Hosts Australia will open the tournament against Hong Kong in Perth on October 1, with England and Wales taking on the second day of action.
Ireland and Scotland meet in the second round of the pool competition, in a contest they also hope will decide who wins their pool.
Scotland begin their Group D campaign against Uruguay on October 3 in Melbourne, while Ireland play Portugal in Sydney the following day.
The Six Nations rivals then meet on October 10 in Perth, before both conclude the pool stage on October 17, with Ireland facing Uruguay in Melbourne and Scotland facing Portugal in Brisbane.
In another of the most exciting matches in the pool stage, Australia play New Zealand in Sydney on October 9.
South Africa, who will be looking for a third successive World Cup triumph, kick off against Italy in Adelaide on 3 March. in October, before meeting Georgia in Brisbane and Romania in Perth.
Key pool stage equipment
October 2: England v Tonga, Group F, Brisbane Stadium
Wales v Zimbabwe, Group F, Adelaide Oval
October 3: Scotland v Uruguay, Group D, Docklands Stadium, Melbourne
October 4: Ireland v Portugal, Group D, Sydney Football Stadium
October: 8 England v Zimbabwe, Group F, Adelaide Oval
Wales v Tonga, Pool F, Docklands Stadium, Melbourne
October 10: Ireland v Scotland, Group D, Perth Stadium
October 16: England v Wales, Group F, Australia Stadium, Sydney
October 17: Ireland v Uruguay, Group D, Docklands Stadium, Melbourne
Scotland v Portugal, Group D, Brisbane Stadium