England will face Wales in Sydney in a possible pool-stage decider at the 2027 Rugby World Cup after the tournament fixtures were released.
England begin their campaign against Tonga on October 2 in Brisbane, then play Zimbabwe in Adelaide on October 8, before finishing the pool stage against Wales on October 16 at Stadium Australia, which will host the final on November 13. Those three matches are spread over 15 days.
The winner of Pool F will play their last-16 fixture in Perth, while the runner-up will play in Sydney.
Hosts Australia open the tournament against Hong Kong in Perth on October 1, with England and Wales both featuring on the second day of action. Australia will also meet New Zealand in Sydney on October 9.
Scotland start Pool D against Uruguay on October 3 in Melbourne, with Ireland in action the following day against Portugal in Sydney. Ireland and Scotland then meet on October 10 in Perth. Both complete the pool stage on October 17: Ireland v Uruguay in Melbourne and Scotland v Portugal in Brisbane.
South Africa begin their title defence against Italy in Adelaide on October 3, before facing Georgia in Brisbane and Romania in Perth.
Key pool-stage fixtures
– October 1: Australia v Hong Kong, Perth
– October 2: England v Tonga, Pool F, Brisbane Stadium; Wales v Zimbabwe, Pool F, Adelaide Oval
– October 3: Scotland v Uruguay, Pool D, Docklands Stadium, Melbourne; South Africa v Italy, Adelaide
– October 4: Ireland v Portugal, Pool D, Sydney Football Stadium
– October 8: England v Zimbabwe, Pool F, Adelaide Oval; Wales v Tonga, Pool F, Docklands Stadium, Melbourne
– October 9: Australia v New Zealand, Sydney
– October 10: Ireland v Scotland, Pool D, Perth Stadium
– October 16: England v Wales, Pool F, Stadium Australia, Sydney
– October 17: Ireland v Uruguay, Pool D, Docklands Stadium, Melbourne; Scotland v Portugal, Pool D, Brisbane Stadium
Given their pool opponents, both England and Wales would expect to qualify for the knockout stages, but topping Pool F could provide an easier path through the draw.