Ford and Itoje stood down as injury concerns mount for Steve Borthwick

Saracens have confirmed that Maro Itoje remains unavailable as he continues to recover from a knee injury picked up during the November internationals.

The England lock has not played since the win over Argentina at the end of last month. Although a December return had been hoped for, Saracens have opted to take a cautious approach and delay his comeback until after the new year.

“Maro is still carrying an injury from the autumn so we don’t expect to see him for a while. The time scale is a little bit vague at the moment,” said director of rugby Mark McCall.

“He’s got a chance of being back for the Leicester Tigers game which is the first week of January maybe. Somewhere around then.”

Itoje has not required surgery, but his extended absence follows a demanding period at international level, having captained the British & Irish Lions on their tour of Australia earlier this year.

Sale Sharks head coach Alex Sanderson has also admitted that George Ford continues to be stood down from action.

The England fly-half is close to returning from an abductor strain suffered in the defeat to Exeter Chiefs three weeks ago.

Sanderson says he is looking at the bigger picture and is keen to protect Ford “from himself”.

As a result, Rob du Preez is set to continue in the playmaker role, with Ford’s potential return pencilled in for the Boxing Day clash against Harlequins.

However, Sanderson insists Ford will only feature when he is fully fit, adding further concern for Borthwick as England’s injury list continues to grow.

As the host nation, Australia was placed in Pool A, while the rest of the line-up was revealed as the teams were drawn.

Men’s Rugby World Cup is heading to Australia and organisers announced that it would be bigger than ever in welcoming the world: 24 nations and territories, seven cities, six weeks, one cup. Fans had been invited to register their interest for pre-sale details.

World Rugby Chair Brett Robinson was joined on stage by former Rugby World Cup winner and All Blacks legend Dan Carter, Australia’s most-capped male player, James Slipper, and Australian Olympics gold medallist, Alicia Lucas, as they conducted the draw.

Each of the six pools featured a team from Bands 1, 2, 3 and 4.

The confirmed Bands based on rankings were:

Band 1: South Africa, New Zealand, England, Ireland, France, Argentina
Band 2: Australia, Fiji, Scotland, Italy, Wales, Japan
Band 3: Georgia, Uruguay, Spain, USA, Chile, Tonga
Band 4: Samoa, Portugal, Romania, Hong Kong China, Zimbabwe, Canada

New Zealand – Perennial contenders with flair, power and unmatched rugby IQ.
Australia – Unpredictable but dangerous, capable of brilliance on their day.
Chile – Fast-improving newcomers bringing passion and fearless physicality.
Hong Kong China – Skillful, energetic, and eager to prove themselves on the global stage.

South Africa – Brutal, relentless, and brutally efficient—never count them out.
Italy – Developing rapidly, mixing strong set-piece work with expanding ambition.
Georgia – Scrum specialists with raw forward strength and growing all-round polish.
Romania – Proud and powerful, known for toughness and unwavering fight.

Argentina – Dynamic, crafty, and fiercely competitive with a never-say-die spirit.
Fiji – Magical offloads, searing pace, and unique unpredictability.
Spain – Determined climbers building consistency and confidence every year.
Canada – Physical and committed, working to regain their traditional sharpness.

Ireland – Well-drilled, intelligent, and ruthlessly efficient across the park.
Scotland – Creative attackers with growing confidence and slick backline play.
Uruguay – Tenacious, organized, and fearless against bigger rugby nations.
Portugal – Exciting, fast-paced, and thriving with a young, fearless core.

France – Electric, unpredictable, and capable of brilliance from anywhere.
Japan – High-tempo, disciplined, and tactically sharp—they never stop moving.
USA – Athletic and physical, with a growing pool of exciting talent.
Samoa – Bone-shaking tackles, powerful runners, and trademark island flair.

England – Structured, strategic, and capable of grinding down any opponent.
Wales – Proud, passionate, and dangerous when the momentum swings their way.
Tonga – Heavy hitters with explosive power and fearless intensity.
Zimbabwe – Energetic and ambitious, bringing speed and spirit to every contest.

From jaw-dropping tries to unforgettable moments (and yes, some questionable haircuts), these players defined a golden era of the game. If their names don’t instantly come to mind, we suggest a quick trip to YouTube to jog your memory. Trust us, it’s worth it.

Ready to test your knowledge? Let’s see if you’ve still got it. Good luck!