2023 World Cup Draw

[ncurd]

Occuring at 11:15 GMT today.

• Band 1: South Africa, New Zealand, England, Wales
• Band 2: Ireland, Australia, France, Japan
• Band 3: Scotland, Argentina, Fiji, Italy
• Band 4: Americas 1, Americas 2, Europe 1, Europe 2
• Band 5: Africa 1, Oceania 1, Asia / Pacific 1, Final Qualifier Winner

One lucky group gets Wales as thier 'top' opposition whilst the other three get SA, NZ or Eng. Other interesting factoid is Japan being a tier 2 entry.

One thing for certain in a France home world cup that whoever gets them from Band 2 will likely be a tough group and it will be interesting to see where Argentina end up as that will likely be the decider in group where 'Tier 1' nations might have a fight on their hands for QF qualification. Sadly can't see Scotland, Fiji or Italy doing much more than a strong 3rd place.

 

[EdBirch]

 

[Bada-Bing!]

If England get group of death again we know that the draw is rigged.

 

[EdBirch]

As long as we avoid France in group stages, i think it'll be a simple route to the knockouts

 

[Leinster Fan]

As long as we avoid France in group stages, i think it'll be a simple route to the knockouts

Surely it's less to do with France and more to do with the third seed?

England, France, Italy would be a lot more straightforward for you guys than England, Ire/Aus, Argentina

 

[Bada-Bing!]

i actually think the French will be much more dangerous in the knock out stage compared to the pool stage.

 

[Leinster Fan]

What's important here is as much the group you play in the quarters as your group itself. From an Irish perspective, getting drawn with someone we'll struggle against as first seeds isn't the end of the world but getting France and the All Blacks in the next pool over would be a nightmare.

 

[EdBirch]

Agree with both of your points, but also thinking about winning the pool

 

[ncurd]

Would be nice if there was subtitles.

 

[EdBirch]

Is Bill on a boat or just can't stand still? haha

 

[Leinster Fan]

Whoever wrote this speech really didn't take Bill's complete and utter lack of charisma into account.

 

[Leinster Fan]

Why do they always have the ruin these things with a bunch of boring speeches and highlights? Literally no one cares about any of this nonsense.

Just pick the teams out of the hat and f*** off. Every sport and every competition seems to think they have to turn these things into some kind of event when they'd be far better without the endless cliches and platitudes from ex players and administrators.

Edit: Why is rugby so unique? Well it's the only sport that does it's most important draw three years before the tournaments

 

[Bada-Bing!]

France in Group A.

 

[ncurd]

45 mins in and we know France is group A.....get on with it!

 

[Bada-Bing!]

Italy in France's pool again?!

Scotland in pool B.

Fiji - C


Argentina pool D

 

[ncurd]

Ireland get Scotland so happy for their QF bow out again.

 

[EdBirch]

Hoping for pool D at the moment

 

[Leinster Fan]

Ffs. Pool B is the worst we could be in.

 

[ncurd]

Italy no chance in hell now

 

[Bada-Bing!]

Lovely NZ pool A