Revealed: The full draw for the 2023 Rugby World Cup pool stages

The draw for the pool stages of the 2023 Rugby World Cup took place this morning at Palais Brongniart in Paris, with defending champions South Africa drawn in Pool B against Ireland and Scotland. As with the last five World Cups, the 2023 tournament will comprise of 20 nations divided into four pools, with five teams in each pool.

The draw included 12 teams already qualified for the tournament along with eight places yet to be decided through the  global qualification process. An explainer of the eight teams yet to qualify, and the qualifying process, can be found here.

In Pool A, hosts France will take on New Zealand and Italy along with the Americas 1 and Africa 1 teams yet to qualify.

James Lowe’s journey from Maori All Blacks to Irish rugby | RugbyPass Offload

James Lowe’s journey from Maori All Blacks to Irish rugby | RugbyPass Offload

In Pool B, reigning champions South Africa will play Ireland and Scotland, who have been drawn together for the second World Cup running, along with the yet to be decided Asia Pacific 1 and Europe 2 teams.

Pool C sees Wales joined by familiar World Cup foes in Australia and Fiji, as well as the Europe 1 and the Final Qualifier Winner teams.

The #RWC2023 draw 👏 pic.twitter.com/ICmEISIGAp

— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) December 14, 2020

In Pool D last year’s beaten World Cup finalists England have been drawn against Japan, Argentina, Oceania 1 and Americas 2.

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

More to follow…