The 2023 Rugby World Cup pool draw has taken place, producing some intriguing pools and fixtures.
Here, the PA news agency looks at the main talking points.
England cannot complain
England will face Japan, Argentina and qualifiers from Oceania 1 and Americas 2 in Pool D at the Rugby World Cup in 2023!
🇯🇵🇦🇷🌏🌎#RWC2023 pic.twitter.com/ef3WNfl24X
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) December 14, 2020
England have unquestionably landed the most straightforward of groups, with Japan, Argentina and qualifiers from Oceania and the Americas on their 2023 agenda. Japan were quarter-finalists when they hosted the World Cup last year, but are unlikely to have the forward power to threaten an England side coached by their former supremo Eddie Jones. But while the pool seems easy enough, England's route through the knockout phase could feature, as in 2019, southern hemisphere heavyweights Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.
Wales fed up of Australia and Fiji
It is a case of same-again, yet again for Wales. For the third successive World Cup, they have been drawn in the same group as Australia and Fiji – and it is the fifth time in a row for them to face the Fijians. Wales, under Warren Gatland, beat both opponents in Japan last year, which meant topping the group and securing a quarter-final against France. England are likely to await them this time around, though, if Wayne Pivac's team finish second in their pool. There is a lot of water to go under the bridge before 2023, but even this far out, Wales know what is coming.
Ireland or Scotland set for an early exit?
📺 𝗔𝗻𝗱𝘆 𝗙𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝗧𝗼 𝗥𝗪𝗖 𝗗𝗿𝗮𝘄 🟢
"There's nothing better than a RWC Draw to get your rugby juices flowing. Players and fans alike know what the journey is like ahead of us and it's super exciting." 🙌#ShoulderToShoulder #TeamOfUs pic.twitter.com/ZGNPTm4Lvr
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) December 14, 2020
As in 2019, Six Nations rivals Ireland and Scotland will meet in the pool stage, and this time around, they have the added problem of also tackling world champions South Africa. Ireland won comfortably in Japan last year, but they had to settle for runners-up spot after losing to Japan, while Scotland bowed out as group stage casualties. Scotland have lost nine of their last 10 games against Ireland, and suffered six successive defeats at South Africa's hands, while Ireland have toppled the Springboks six times in the last 10 encounters. Scotland, in theory, have it all to do.
France-New Zealand must be the tournament opener
The 2023 World Cup fixture schedule is not expected to be announced until late February, but one decision that tournament organisers should not spend long contemplating is which two countries kick things off. Hosts France, resurgent under head coach Fabien Galthie, have been drawn in the same group as three-time world champions New Zealand. That would provide a glittering spectacle, potentially under the floodlights at Stade de France, giving the competition a dream launch, especially if Les Bleus triumph.
A lot can happen in three years
The final band of balls are pulled for #RWC2023
EPIC! pic.twitter.com/XKIt3n9r1R
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) December 14, 2020
It is often difficult to predict the form of rugby union's landscape in three months' time, let alone three years, which is why not too much can be read into the 2023 World Cup line-up at this stage. Yes, the big guns – countries like England, South Africa and New Zealand – will still be exactly that, but will France have overtaken all of them by then and become the world's top team? How many current coaches will still be in their jobs? How many current top players might have retired? How will the sport itself have evolved? Questions, questions.
