Ireland to meet Japan and Scotland in Pool A of 2019 Rugby World Cup
Ireland have been drawn in Pool A with host nation Japan and Six Nations rivals Scotland for the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
2019 Rugby World Cup draw Pool A: Ireland, Scotland, Japan, Europe 1, Play-off winner #RWC2019
— breakingnews.ie (@breakingnewsie) May 10, 2017
The draw makes Ireland's summer tour all the more intriguing with the side due to play Japan twice in June.
Joe Schmidt's men had been seeded in Band 1 meaning they were guaranteed to avoid world champions New Zealand, England and Australia in the pool stages.
Meanwhile, England have been handed a fearsome World Cup pool draw for the second successive tournament.
Eddie Jones' men will be in the same group as France and Argentina for the 2019 tournament in Japan.
2019 Rugby World Cup draw Pool C: England, France, Argentina, Americas 1, Oceania 2 #RWC2019
— breakingnews.ie (@breakingnewsie) May 10, 2017
Wales have drawn Australia for the second successive World Cup - Georgia are also in their pool.
2019 Rugby World Cup draw Pool D: Australia, Wales, Georgia, Oceania 1, Americas 2 #RWC2019
— breakingnews.ie (@breakingnewsie) May 10, 2017
There is a shuddering showdown ahead for holders New Zealand as they face twice world champions South Africa in Pool B. Conor O'Shea's Italy will face both sides in the same pool.
2019 Rugby World Cup draw Pool B: New Zealand, South Africa, Italy, Africa 1, Repechage winner #RWC2019
— breakingnews.ie (@breakingnewsie) May 10, 2017
The remaining eight teams will come from qualifiers that will fill the final two places in each group.
- Pool A - Ireland, Scotland, Japan, Europe 1, play-off winner.
- Pool B - New Zealand, South Africa, Italy, Africa 1, repechage winner.
- Pool C - England, France, Argentina, Americas 1, Oceania 2.
- Pool D - Australia, Wales, Georgia, Americas 2, Oceania 1.
