Rugby World Cup draw in full: England to face Wales after avoiding ‘pool of death’

The draw for the tournament was made on Wednesday and England were drawn in Pool F alongside Wales, Tonga and Zimbabwe.

England scored ten tries as they thrashed Wales 68-14 in Cardiff in the Six Nations in March and Steve Borthwick’s side have been handed a good draw.

Hosts Australia will face three-time winners New Zealand in Pool A, and if New Zealand beat Australia in the opening match then England will be on opposite side of knockout draw to New Zealand, South Africa and France.

Defending champions South Africa have been drawn in the most difficult pool, against Italy, Georgia and Romania.

Ireland and Scotland will also meet in the pool stage after being drawn in a group alongside Uruguay and Portugal.

The tournament takes place in Australia from October 1 to November 13 next year and will feature 24 teams after expanding for the first time since 1999.

The six group winners and six runners-up will progress to the knockout stage, plus the four best third-placed teams. The new format means the introduction of an additional knockout game in the round of 16.

Pool A: New Zealand, Australia, Chile, Hong Kong China

Pool B: South Africa, Italy, Georgia, Romania

Pool C: Argentina, Fiji, Spain, Canada

Pool D: Ireland, Scotland, Uruguay, Portugal

Pool E: France, Japan, USA, Samoa

Pool F: England, Wales, Tonga, Zimbabwe