IT MAY BE nearly three years away but all eyes are on London this afternoon for the 2015 Rugby World Cup draw. Will Ireland be able to avoid a pool of death?
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Pool A: Australia; England; Wales; Oceania 1; Play-off winner
Pool B: South Africa; Samoa; Scotland; Asia 1; America 2
Pool C: New Zealand; Argentina; Tonga; Europe 1; Africa 1
Pool D: France; IRELAND; Italy: Americas 1; Europe 2
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the 2015 Rugby World Cup draw.
Chances are you’re thinking one of two things right about now: either a) after that photo was taken, how long did it take Lawrence Dallaglio to punch Boris Johnson square in the mush? Or b) how far away is the 2015 Rugby World Cup?
So to answer: a) we don’t know but it seems pretty inevitable and b) 1018 days, give or take a couple of hours.
Thankfully you don’t have to wait that long for the draw. That starts at 3pm.
3 Dec 2012
2:50PM
How does it all it work then? Well, there are four pools in total each of which will contain five countries. There are five bands of teams, some of which are known already, some of which or not. Today, the lovely RWC organisers will decide which teams go into which pools.
Band one: New Zealand, South Africa, Australia, France
Band two: England, Ireland, Samoa, Argentina
Band three: Wales, Italy, Tonga, Scotland
Band four: Oceania one, Europe one, Asia one, Americas one.
Band five: Africa one, Europe two, Americas two, and the repechage winner.
In a few minutes’ time, the pools will be drawn in reverse order, starting with band five and down to band one. Simples.
3 Dec 2012
2:56PM
What’s the ideal scenario for Ireland, I hear nobody ask?
We can’t be drawn against teams in the same band as us, so in a perfect world, we’d avoid the best teams in bands one and three — New Zealand and Wales. A group with Australia and Tonga doesn’t seem that appalling really.
Anyway, let’s not worry about that now — we’ve got 1,018 days to work out the ramifications.
3 Dec 2012
2:58PM
We’re underway in the Tate Modern. If I know draws like I know draws, it could take a while before we get to the good stuff.
You’d nearly miss UEFA head honcho Gianni Infantino.
3 Dec 2012
3:00PM
Cliche bingo: Whoever had a blatant rip-off of London 2012 slogan ”Inspire A Generation,” please come to the front and collect your prize. 2015 World Cup chairman Andy Cosslett has just thrown that one out there.
There’s Boris. He opens with a joke about how the game was invented by “burly, mustachioed and mildly inebriated Victorians.” A few wry smiles, but Richie McCaw looks completely confused by the whole thing.
3 Dec 2012
3:05PM
Video time: dramatic music accompanied by a World Cup history highlight reel and buzzwords like “strength” and “unity”. Or something like that. I got bored.
3 Dec 2012
3:08PM
Another video. This time we’re being introduced to the 12 nations who have already qualified, just in case we forgot — or, presumably in case we do at some stage over the next 1,018 days.
3 Dec 2012
3:10PM
DRAW TIME: Here we go. Richie McCaw joins Boris and some other dignitaries on stage.
3 Dec 2012
3:11PM
Pool A: Play-off winner
Pool B: America 2
Pool C: Africa 1
Pool D: Europe 2
3 Dec 2012
3:12PM
Here’s band four. Some real teams up next.
Pool A: Oceania 1; Play-off winner
Pool B: Asia 1; America 2
Pool C: Europe 1; Africa 1
Pool D: Americas 1; Europe 2
3 Dec 2012
3:13PM
Ireland up next. Anyone but Pool A, please and thank you.
Pool A: Wales; Oceania 1; Play-off winner
Pool B: Scotland; Asia 1; America 2
Pool C: Tonga; Europe 1; Africa 1
Pool D: Italy: Americas 1; Europe 2
3 Dec 2012
3:14PM
Pool A: England; Wales; Oceania 1; Play-off winner
Pool B: Samoa; Scotland; Asia 1; America 2
Pool C: Argentina; Tonga; Europe 1; Africa 1
Pool D: IRELAND; Italy: Americas 1; Europe 2
3 Dec 2012
3:16PM
Pool A: Australia; England; Wales; Oceania 1; Play-off winner
Pool B: South Africa; Samoa; Scotland; Asia 1; America 2
Pool C: New Zealand; Argentina; Tonga; Europe 1; Africa 1
Pool D: France; IRELAND; Italy: Americas 1; Europe 2
3 Dec 2012
3:18PM
So there we have it. Ireland have been drawn to play in Pool D, a mini Six Nations against France, Italy, Americas 1 and Europe 2.
Not the worst by any means. The dubious “Pool of Death” honour goes to Pool A where it will be hosts England against Australia and Wales. Tasty.
We’ll leave it at that. I’ll admit, it could have been worse — both the ceremony and Ireland’s pool for 2015. Attempting any sort of more in-depth analysis seems a little bit foolish three years ahead of time.
The only thing that seems likely is that if the format for previous World Cups is continued, Ireland will have to win their pool to avoid a quarter-final against probable Pool C winners New Zealand.
Of course the last time New Zealand were drawn in, and won, Pool C was in 2007. They were beaten in the quarter-finals that year by the Pool D runners-up, France. What’s that they say about lightning striking twice?
nice enough draw for ireland could have been worse but italy could be a banana skin, as are improving year on year, wales got badly screwed ,crazy having draw on so early
I’d say the management are very happy with that draw considering what could have happened.
If we manage to win the group then a QF against Argentina wouldn’t be the worst game we could face so we’d once again have an outside shot at a Semi-Final.
And if we lose to France and then exit to New Zealand at QF stage then really that’s very much as expected given our track record against both of those nations.
So the only real bad news story would be for Ireland not to qualify from the group and lets face it if we can’t do that then we really never had a chance anyway.
Doesn’t look like a stroll in the park for Scotland.
England going out in the pool stages of their own Tournament is a real possibility.
New Zealand, South Africa, France., Argentina and Australia should be through but as for who will join them, who knows. All academic of course, in three years time the formbook could have turned on it’s head.
It really is ludicrous having the draw 3 years before the tournament. Last years six nations winners and World Cup semi finalists in a group with Australia and England is ridiculous. I don’t personally care and it’ll make for some great group games amongst the usual rugby World Cup group borefest but I’d be annoyed if I was a Wales fan.
Our group is winnable but also with a high chance of nothing as well. Argentina or NZ in the 1/4 if we make it will be extremely tough. Still, we can only dream just like we have done since 1987.
Completely agree with you. Why does rugby insist on this? There’s no reason why the draw couldn’t take place six months before the competition using the rankings at that time.
Three previous thumpings in the RWC v France in 95, 2003 and 2007 – and something like 5 wins in 40 years in the 6N. I love playing France but hate the Irish record against them. I hope the team changes this but find it hard to be too optimistic for the RWC based on that track record.
Two things we never do. Horrible draw. Once we avoided Wales from band 3, we were safe for qualification. would have preferred to get NZ out of the way in the group.
It’s an ok group- have the beating of the other teams except France our record against them in WC or other tournaments is not good- so we will see what shape our team is in then or who’s in charge
If we don’t start bringing youngsters through we shouldn’t bother going. By youngsters I mean 19-25 year olds, like England & France are doing. But we’ll probably plod along with our usual Dads Army band! Held together with Deep Heat & hope!!!
Well, between the 6Ns and the Heineken Cup we’ll at least be fairly accustomed to playing them come 2015. Only thing is they tend to do really well at world cups. Even with a crap coach at the helm.
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Nice enough group for Ireland
Happy with that we are more than capable of beating France and Italy
Great draw for Ireland. Good draw for England too. Australia and wales. Ha ha.
nice enough draw for ireland could have been worse but italy could be a banana skin, as are improving year on year, wales got badly screwed ,crazy having draw on so early
Australia, Scotland, Asia 1 & a crappy European team please.
I’d say the management are very happy with that draw considering what could have happened.
If we manage to win the group then a QF against Argentina wouldn’t be the worst game we could face so we’d once again have an outside shot at a Semi-Final.
And if we lose to France and then exit to New Zealand at QF stage then really that’s very much as expected given our track record against both of those nations.
So the only real bad news story would be for Ireland not to qualify from the group and lets face it if we can’t do that then we really never had a chance anyway.
I’d say if the management have anything to do with the irish team after kidney’s contract is up, I won’t be watching.
I doubt we’ll miss you then!
well well well…i thought England might get the handset one. Alas, no. I like our group,very winable
handiest
The bumbling buffoon Boris gets in on everything, it’s the England Rugby World Cup, not just London
If the same format is in place as in previous world cups and we finish 2nd then we would play New Zealand who will finish first in group A .
There not in group a! Do a play b andb play c?
Sorry i meant group C
Yeah, that’s right. It has been Winners C v Runners-Up D and Runners-Up C v Winners D in the past.
But we should win that group then probably face Argentina in the quarter-final so it is a very good draw for us
This is a good draw for Ireland a nice solid group .Good games to look forward to .
Doesn’t look like a stroll in the park for Scotland.
England going out in the pool stages of their own Tournament is a real possibility.
New Zealand, South Africa, France., Argentina and Australia should be through but as for who will join them, who knows. All academic of course, in three years time the formbook could have turned on it’s head.
It really is ludicrous having the draw 3 years before the tournament. Last years six nations winners and World Cup semi finalists in a group with Australia and England is ridiculous. I don’t personally care and it’ll make for some great group games amongst the usual rugby World Cup group borefest but I’d be annoyed if I was a Wales fan.
Our group is winnable but also with a high chance of nothing as well. Argentina or NZ in the 1/4 if we make it will be extremely tough. Still, we can only dream just like we have done since 1987.
Completely agree with you. Why does rugby insist on this? There’s no reason why the draw couldn’t take place six months before the competition using the rankings at that time.
I’m not entirely sure why but I’d be fairly certain it’s all about revenue.
France & Scotland please
Three previous thumpings in the RWC v France in 95, 2003 and 2007 – and something like 5 wins in 40 years in the 6N. I love playing France but hate the Irish record against them. I hope the team changes this but find it hard to be too optimistic for the RWC based on that track record.
Beat France or beat New Zealand.
Two things we never do. Horrible draw. Once we avoided Wales from band 3, we were safe for qualification. would have preferred to get NZ out of the way in the group.
Australia and Scotland with a bit of Africa
Ah well. Great to see England and Wales together but having to listen to their fans for that length of time will be a nightmare.
It’s an ok group- have the beating of the other teams except France our record against them in WC or other tournaments is not good- so we will see what shape our team is in then or who’s in charge
If we don’t start bringing youngsters through we shouldn’t bother going. By youngsters I mean 19-25 year olds, like England & France are doing. But we’ll probably plod along with our usual Dads Army band! Held together with Deep Heat & hope!!!
Well, between the 6Ns and the Heineken Cup we’ll at least be fairly accustomed to playing them come 2015. Only thing is they tend to do really well at world cups. Even with a crap coach at the helm.
France will be a tough one.
ole ole ole ole