England’s route to Rugby World Cup glory has been mapped out following confirmation of the full schedule and knockout bracket.
Steve Borthwick’s men will head to Australia among the leading contenders after being drawn alongside Wales, Tonga and Zimbabwe in Pool F.
On paper, England will be expected to top the pool.
Do that and their route through the knockouts becomes very interesting.
England’s pool fixtures
England open their campaign against Tonga in Brisbane on October 2 before facing Zimbabwe in Adelaide six days later.
Then comes the big one.
October 2: England v Tonga – BrisbaneOctober 8: England v Zimbabwe – AdelaideOctober 16: England v Wales – Sydney
The clash with Wales could decide who tops Pool F and, crucially, which side of the knockout draw England land on.
The official Rugby World Cup pool draw has England in Pool F, while defending champions South Africa headline Pool B.
This will also be the first World Cup to feature 24 teams.
The top two from each pool qualify for the new Round of 16, along with the four best third-placed teams.
World Rugby has explained the new format, which means England will need to win four knockout games to become world champions.
ROUND OF 16: Potentially Italy
Win Pool F and England will face the runners-up from Pool B.
That group contains South Africa, Italy, Georgia and Romania.
The Springboks will be expected to challenge for top spot, which immediately makes Italy one of England’s potential opponents.
Of course, nothing is guaranteed.
But if the pools go roughly as expected, an England versus Italy Round of 16 clash is very much on the cards.
QUARTER-FINAL: New Zealand or Australia?
This is where it could get seriously tough.
England’s quarter-final opponent would come from a clash between the runners-up of Pool A and Pool E.
Pool A contains New Zealand, Australia, Chile and Hong Kong China.
Pool E features France, Japan, USA and Samoa.
That opens the door to a huge quarter-final against either New Zealand or hosts Australia.
Japan are another possible opponent depending on how Pool E plays out.
Either way, this looks like the point where England’s World Cup campaign could really catch fire.
SEMI-FINAL: Ireland or Argentina?
Get through that and England could have another heavyweight waiting.
The other section feeding into their semi-final includes the winners of Pool C and Pool D.
Argentina and Fiji are in Pool C, while Ireland and Scotland headline Pool D.
If the major nations take care of business, Ireland or Argentina could therefore be waiting for England in the last four.
An England versus Ireland World Cup semi-final in Sydney would certainly be some occasion, with Andy Farrell’s side expected to be among the major contenders in Australia.
THE FINAL
Then it’s one more game.
The final takes place at Stadium Australia in Sydney on November 13.
The opposite half of the draw could contain some huge names, with South Africa, France, New Zealand and Australia all possible depending on where they finish in their pools.
England have reached four Rugby World Cup finals.
Their only victory came in Australia in 2003, when Jonny Wilkinson’s famous drop goal sank the hosts in Sydney.
Twenty-four years later, they’ll be hoping history repeats itself.
ENGLAND’S POTENTIAL ROUTE TO GLORY
Pool stage: Tonga, Zimbabwe, Wales
Round of 16: Italy
Quarter-final: New Zealand/Australia
Semi-final: Ireland/Argentina
Final: TBC
It’s certainly not an easy road.
But if England top their pool, we now know what that road to Sydney could look like.
