Itoje targets 2027 World Cup glory as England land favourable draw
Maro Itoje in action for England during the last World Cup in France
©Michael Steele - World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images
Maro Itoje is targeting Rugby World Cup success in Australia in 2027, after the draw in Sydney on Wednesday appeared to give England a promising route to possible glory.
Currently ranked third in the world following an 11-match winning streak, England avoided being placed in the same half of the draw as reigning champions South Africa, New Zealand, and France - none of whom they can meet until the final.
England will compete in Pool F alongside old foes Wales - as well as Tonga and Zimbabwe - in the expanded 24-team tournament. Potential opponents in the knockout stages include Italy, Australia, Ireland, and Argentina.
“Our ambition is to do very well and win this tournament,” Itoje said. “But to do that we know we have to make sure we get our preparation right and the next two years leading to the World Cup is massive. We need to build throughout time and make sure we’re tracking in the right direction.”
Head coach Steve Borthwick backed Itoje’s ambition of winning the 2027 title, as England aim to recreate the success of 2003, when they claimed their first and only World Cup crown the last time the tournament was staged in Australia.
“We’ve been very clear in saying our aim is to win the World Cup and a number of other nations will be saying the same,” Borthwick said. “We are working towards it.
“The team is progressing, it’s transitioned a lot since the last World Cup over the last 18 months. I want to make sure that our supporters in Australia in two years’ time have loads to cheer about.”
Itoje also expressed that he is embracing the growing expectations around England’s preparations. “The converse would not be ideal, if this England team had no expectation or you played for a team that had no hopes,” he said.
“That’s a situation I don’t want to be in. If we want to go out and do what we want to do, we have to walk that line and welcome whatever comes. If that’s part of it we have to welcome that.”
