At the 2023 Rugby World Cup, the four best sides in the world by a considerable margin - and ranked in the top four as such - were Ireland, South Africa, France and New Zealand. Yet, all four ended up on the same side of the draw and met in the quarter-finals.
England captain Maro Itoje and head coach Steve Borthwick have both said their aims are "definitely to win the 2027 Rugby World Cup" in Australia, reacting to Wednesday's pool stage draw.
England will face Wales, Tonga and Zimbabwe in the pool stages of the Rugby World Cup in 2027.
Rugby's key dates, fixtures and schedule for 2026: England, Ireland, Wales, Scotland, Red Roses, Six Nations, Nations Championship summer and Autumn Tests, Women's Six Nations.
The Rugby Football Union has no immediate plans to extend Steve Borthwick's contract as head coach beyond the 2027 World Cup despite England's success this year.
Ollie Lawrence, Tom Roebuck and Jamie George have been ruled out but Freddie Steward looks clear to return as England seek an Autumn clean sweep against Argentina.
For South Africa's 'bomb squad', now read England's 'Pom squad', as revealed by full-back Freddie Steward to Sky Sports this week.
England have made seven changes to their starting team for Saturday's Autumn Nations Series match against New Zealand, with Fin Smith missing out on the squad.
Duhan van der Merwe, Jamie Ritchie and Zander Fagerson are all notable absentees from Scotland's 23-man squad for Saturday's Murrayfield showdown with New Zealand.
Wales captain Jac Morgan will miss the rest of the Autumn Nations Series with a dislocated shoulder.
England may be forced to rip up their back three plans for Saturday's clash with Fiji but will still be able to count on the player acclaimed as the new Jason Robinson.
Caelan Doris is expected to lead Ireland against the All Blacks in Chicago on Saturday after being confirmed as fit for the Soldier Field fixture.
Teenage winger Noah Caluori has been selected in the England squad for the Autumn Nations Series.
Playing rugby has no causal link to motor neurone disease, according to an expert in the incurable muscle-wasting condition.
Former Wales winger Louis Rees-Zammit says he's had "a lot of interest" and hopes to find a new club "next week" after leaving the NFL and returning to rugby.
The Women's Six Nations fixtures for 2026 have been confirmed, with England's Red Roses seeking an unprecedented eighth title in succession.
Steve Borthwick has named 16 uncapped players in a 36-man England training squad to prepare for the upcoming match against France, United States and Argentina.
France's home fixture against Ireland will launch the 2026 Six Nations, with the shortened six-week tournament opening on a Thursday for the first time.
Ireland and Leinster captain Caelan Doris will be sidelined for up to six months following shoulder surgery.
Former Scotland and British and Irish Lions head coach Sir Ian McGeechan has been diagnosed with prostate cancer.
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