Rugby Union World Cup - England handed their pool opponents

Ireland and Scotland have been drawn together alongside world champions South Africa for the pool stage in France.

Andy Farrell’s side and Gregor Townsend’s men will join the Springboks, an Asia/Pacific qualifier and a qualifier from Europe in Pool B.

Wales will be joined in Pool C by Australia and Fiji.

Hosts France have been paired with three-time world champions New Zealand in Pool A, a group which also includes Italy.

The 10th edition of the tournament will take place from September 8 to October 21, 2023 at nine venues across France.

Eddie Jones’s England, beaten finalists last year in Japan, will also be joined in their group by qualifiers from Oceania and the Americas.

The coronavirus pandemic’s impact on international rugby this year meant teams were seeded based on World Rugby’s official rankings 11 months ago as some teams, including South Africa and Japan, have not played in 2020.

Wales, who have dropped from fourth to ninth in the rankings this year, were one of the countries to benefit as they were included among the top seeds.

The Welsh defeated both Australia and Fiji in the World Cup pool stage last year en route to reaching the semi-finals.