IRELAND HAVE BEEN confirmed as a ‘Band 2′ team ahead of the 2023 World Cup pool draw, which World Rugby has confirmed will take place on 14 December.
It means Ireland will be drawn in a pool with one of the Band 1 nations – South Africa, New Zealand, England, or Wales.
As has previously been the case, World Rugby will carry out the pool draw almost three years in advance of the World Cup, which will take place in France in 2023.
World Rugby had previously said that the bands for the pool draw would be based on the official world rankings after the 2020 autumn Tests, but that has now changed and the bands have been based on World Rugby’s rankings back on 1 January 2020.
World Rugby says the change reflects the fact that the Covid-19 pandemic means “some teams are not playing this year” and is “fair to all qualified teams”.
Ireland were ranked fifth in the world back in January, rather than the fourth position they currently occupy, meaning they miss out on being part of Band 1.
The bands for the 2023 World Cup pool draw in December are as follows:
- Band 1: South Africa, New Zealand, England, Wales
- Band 2: Ireland, Australia, France, Japan
- Band 3: Scotland, Argentina, Fiji, Italy
- Band 4: Oceania 1, Europe 1, Americas 1, Asia / Pacific 1
- Band 5: Africa 1, Europe 2, Americas 2, Final Qualifier Winner
Ireland were one of the top seeds for the pool draw ahead of the 2019 World Cup but that didn’t help in the end as they were shocked by tournament hosts Japan last year.
The seedings for this 2023 World Cup pool draw mean Ireland will at least avoid host nation France, as well as Japan, although some supporters may be nervous about the prospect of facing Argentina in the pool stages given the history between the nations.
The pool draw will take place on 14 December in Paris.
“The draw is a key milestone on the journey to Rugby World Cup France 2023 and the time when the tournament truly comes to life for teams and players alike, enabling key operational elements to be undertaken such as venue allocation, optimal match schedule development and, of course, the ticketing programme,” said World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont.
“While Covid-19 means that, in the interests of fairness for all qualified teams, we have needed to draw a line under the rankings at the beginning of the year, everyone should appreciate that this is a unique time, we can’t delay, and we must continue to accelerate planning for what is going to be a truly spectacular and special Rugby World Cup 2023 in France.
“The RWC 2023 Draw will be a greatly anticipated beacon of hope and excitement as we look towards France 2023 and beyond the global pandemic.”
Bernard Jackman, Murray Kinsella and Gavan Casey discuss the provinces’ 2020/21 starts, the South African-infused Pro16, and the schools-versus-clubs dynamic in Ireland
The42 Rugby Weekly / SoundCloud
