DREAM DRAW FOR ENGLAND, SAYS THE UK MEDIA

Sports Reporter

THE UK media has described the 2027 Rugby World Cup draw, in which England and Wales have been paired in the same pool, which also features Zimbabwe, as a ‘DREAM DRAW.’

The draw was conducted in Australia, who will host the tournament, yesterday.

Daniel Schofield, writing for the Telegraph, said England coach Steve Borthwick was likely to be happy with the draw.

“He will not dare say it publicly but Steve Borthwick could not have wished for a better draw at the 2027 Rugby World Cup,” he wrote.

“Being placed in Pool F alongside Wales, Tonga and Zimbabwe means that England are likely to dodge France, New Zealand and most importantly of all South Africa until the final, should they get that far.

“Of course, there are three million-odd people over the Severn Bridge who would like to remind England about what happened the last time they played Wales in the World Cup: a 28-25 defeat at Twickenham as England suffered the most ignominious of pool stage exits (remember Chris Robshaw turning down the kick at goal)

“That, however, was a markedly different Wales team to the one which just took a 73-0 hiding by South Africa.”

Wales Online called it a dream draw for England.

“Indeed, the English media have described the draw for Steve Borthwick’s side as a ‘dream’ and the best they could have hoped for. This is based on the assumption they will beat Wales, top the group and won’t face a fellow group winner until the semi-finals.”

Robert Kitson, writing in the Guardian, said it was a satisfactory draw for England.

“As the Ashes have reminded us, it never pays to get too excited in advance about winning in Australia.

“But once the draw for the 2027 men’s Rugby World Cup had concluded and the various knockout permutations had been crunched there was a strong whiff of deja vu in the Sydney air.

“A World Cup down under and a decent draw for England? What could possibly go wrong?

“The cards have certainly fallen more kindly for England than for several of their rivals. While they are lurking in one of the shallower of the six pools —Wales, Tonga and Zimbabwe — the opening fixture of the tournament, in Perth on 1 October, may well thrust together the Wallabies and the All Blacks from minute one.”