ADVERTISEMENT
RugbyDump
REGISTER
LOGIN
ADVERTISEMENT
RugbyDump
Monday Dec 14, 2020

The 5 big talking points from the 2023 Rugby World Cup draw

The 2023 Rugby World Cup pool draw took place today in Paris confirming the pools for the 10th edition of the tournament. Teams can now start to plan their campaigns, but there are many talking points. 

ADVERTISEMENT

The pools are as follows, with World Champions South Africa in Pool B and hosts France in Pool A alongside RWC rivals New Zealand.

RWC 2023 – POOLS

  • Pool A: New Zealand, France, Italy, Americas 1, Africa 1
  • Pool B: South Africa, Ireland, Scotland, Asia/Pacific 1, Europe 2
  • Pool C: Wales, Australia, Fiji, Europe 1, Final Qualifier Winner
  • Pool D: England, Japan, Argentina, Oceania 1, Americas 2

Here, PA news agency look at the main talking points.

England cannot complain

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?

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

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?

ADVERTISEMENT

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.

Related Articles

  • 60 WEEKS AGO

    Ellis Genge puts on his boxing gloves ready...

  • 60 WEEKS AGO

    Crazy scenes as player deliberately kicks...

  • 60 WEEKS AGO

    RFU make decision on transgender players...



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    South African schoolboy produces the greatest goosey in the sport

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible team try showcases thrills of the grassroots game

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Highlights video shows just why Vakatawa’s return is so highly anticipated

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    Individual brilliance as player scores off his own kick off

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    Match Report: Australia challenge the All Black HAKA in extraordinary test

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Tom Curry receives ban following red card tackle against Argentina

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Off the ball 'punches' being called out by fans following All Blacks vs Springbok match

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Scott Barrett's World Cup on the rocks following reckless shoulder charge

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Bizarre tackle school video divides viewers

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Springbok fans given a scare as Kolbe takes back-breaking hit

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible team try showcases thrills of the grassroots game

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Dane Coles stunned as he hears news of Steve Hansen joining the Wallabies

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Moment of madness leads to incredible Springbok score

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Highlights video shows just why Vakatawa’s return is so highly anticipated

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    Individual brilliance as player scores off his own kick off

View All

Funnies

  • 1 DAY AGO

    Springbok head coach Jacques Nienaber offers ice cold response at the press conference

  • 4 DAYS AGO

    Stone Cole’d: Dan Cole channels his inner Steve Austin in brilliant behind the scenes action

  • 5 DAYS AGO

    Chaos ensues as off-field substitute is caught up in try scoring opportunity

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Springboks set to sing additional song post national anthem in future test matches

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Brian O'Driscoll unburdens himself with huge confession in classic Guinness advert

View All

Amateur

  • 37 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 37 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 60 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

  • 60 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes At School Boys Rugby Match

  • 60 WEEKS AGO

    The Next Dominant Backrow?

View All

Player Features

  • 12 HOURS AGO

    The three key takeaways from the ‘Eddie Jones press conference’

  • 15 HOURS AGO

    Antoine Dupont potentially able to return ahead of the Quarter-finals

  • 3 DAYS AGO

    Drew Mitchell Vs. Johnny Sexton: The untold story

  • 3 DAYS AGO

    Namibia captain receives awful backlash from trolls on social media following unfortunate DuPont hit

  • 4 DAYS AGO

    Exclusive: David Campese calls for inquiry into Australian rugby as he provides explosive thoughts on the World Cup

View All