Rugby World Cup 2027 draw live: England, Springboks, All Blacks and more find out opponents

"Scotland will back themselves to beat any of those teams in band one," said double World Cup-winning former New Zealand player Dan Carter. "They play Ireland on a regular occasion through the Six Nations, that will be a huge game."

Former Wallaby prop Joe Slipper, who played in four World Cups, said: "Home support will be very important. I never had the opportunity to do it, but that is a huge opportunity for this Wallabies group. Dealing with the pressure of a home World Cup, that will be telling. I'm really excited."

"We are pleased with the pool we have been drawn in, but this is a World Cup, and every team will go out there with great passion and do their utmost to represent their nations with pride," said South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus.

"There have been surprises in the tournament before, so we'll need to be up mentally and physically for every match.

"Italy may be ranked 10th in the world, but they showed us what they are capable of when they hit their straps earlier this season, even though the scorelines may not have reflected that.

"Georgia and Romania are also extremely physical and passionate teams, and we've faced them before, so we know how tough they can be on the day if we give them space and opportunities to play to their potential."

"You just take nothing for granted, if you start plotting a pathway through, that pathway could change completely because somebody upsets someone," said Australia coach Joe Schmidt.

"I remember sitting in a changing room in 2015 and watching Japan beat South Africa. Nobody predicted that. That's one of the great things about World Cups. There's going to be a surprise in those pool matches somewhere, and so I don't think you can afford to get too predictive."

Here’s what the tournament favourites the Springboks can expect in 2027:

Here’s what England can expect in 2027 and who might await them should they escape from their pool:

Hosts Australia have been handed a tough draw for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, drawn with fierce rivals New Zealand in Pool A for what will be a mouthwatering curtain-raiser to the tournament.

England will play neighbours Wales in Pool F, which also features Tonga and Zimbabwe. Scotland and Ireland have also been drawn together, alongside Portugal and Uruguay in what could be a highly competitive Pool D.

South Africa, the reigning champions, will play Italy, Georgia and Romania Pool B, and the Springboks are likely to meet either Australia or New Zealand in a blockbuster quarter-final.

Full story on the draw:

Whereas the opposite is true for New Zealand and South Africa, who, based on current rankings, are on a collision course to meet in the quarter-finals. That would be something special.

The winner of that one would most likely meet France in the semis.

Not like us to jump ahead and start pencilling in results, but England (and Wales) are, theoretically, in the safest part of the draw they could be, should they win pool F.

Their most likely opponents in the round of 16 would be Italy, based on current seedings. Beat Italy and they would most likely play the hosts, Australia, which would not be easy of course.

But assuming New Zealand, South Africa and France win their pools, then they would all be on the other half of the draw and not be a possible opponent until the final.

Based on current seedings, Ireland or Argentina would be the most likely semi-final opponents for the winner of pool F.