England face Pumas and Scots

Wales face re-match with 2007 conquerors Fiji

Last updated: 1st December 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

England face Pumas and Scots

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England have avoided the Tri-Nations countries in the draw for the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.

The 2003 champions have been drawn in Group B alongside Argentina, Scotland and two qualifiers from the minor rugby nations.

However, England will be keen to finish top of their Pool since the runners-up will play the winners of Pool A in the quarter-finals, likely to be hosts and hot favourites New Zealand.

Wales have been drawn with reigning world champions South Africa, Fiji - the team that knocked them out of last year's World Cup - Oceania 1 (probably Samoa) and Africa 1.

Ireland - eliminated before the quarter-finals last year - will play Australia, Italy, Europe 2 and Americas 2.

England and Scotland have met once before in World Cup history - a 1991 semi-final in Edinburgh that the visitors edged 9-6 before losing to Australia in the final.

England's only previous World Cup meeting with Argentina came in South Africa 13 years ago, which they won 24-18 en route to the semi-finals.

Scotland, world-ranked ninth to England's sixth, will not be too unhappy at the draw, given they could have been bracketed in the same pool as New Zealand and France.

The All Blacks' group, which also includes Tonga, Americas 1 and Asia 1, gives New Zealand a chance to avenge their shock 2007 World Cup quarter-final defeat against France in Cardiff.

With the draw now completed for the 20-team tournament, organisers will press ahead with the match schedule, which they plan to announce in March.

Pool A: New Zealand, France, Tonga, Americas 1, Asia 1
Pool B: Argentina, England, Scotland, Europe 1, Play-off winner
Pool C: Australia, Ireland, Italy, Europe 2, Americas 2
Pool D: South Africa, Wales, Fiji, Oceania 1, Africa 1

Comments (18)

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William Black says...

How can anyone really predict with any accuracy how the groups will do at this stage ?England on recent history will struggle but with ages to go may come strong, Argies have only done well in recent years, can they continue their upsurge?Scotland always make at least quarters and are showing signs of a rewakening, but might still nod back off. The only certainty is that it will be a great tournament, and that people in this country will believe England have a god given right to be a leading team............time and players will tell

Posted 12:56 27th January 2009

Alan Cameron says...

with townsend coaching our backs I'm worried, not exactly tactically astute going by his kicking when he played, but depending on which Scotland team is selected we either have a good chance or will scrape through with some luck

Posted 10:48 19th January 2009

David Ransome says...

I wish people would give England credit. We have been their more than most and won it. Yes, we need more beleive, but my god we have been their. All you non rugby fans writing here, really don't know. Tell me you northern hemisphere fans who has come close? I as an English fan really beleive that New Zealand rugby is the best their is. We need to have beleive , that's all. When the Welsch or Scots OR the Irish have won the rugby world cup or come close then you can criticise. Until then, Shut up.

Posted 14:08 4th December 2008

Wayne Gronbach says...

My question to all those people with negative comments about England is this, Have you played Rugby at club level? have you never experienced a situation where older players retire and are replaced by young ex-colts? it takes time to become battle hardened and the timing for England is spot on and Martin the the man to make it happen! so what if England have an 'easy' group, good for them we will have the hard game in the final! Oh and p.s. I wouldn't call Scotland easy to their face either!!!

Posted 13:51 2nd December 2008

Brian Coulson says...

Alistair Holland says...C'mon the Argies!!! What is that all about????

Posted 13:17 2nd December 2008

Mike Hutchison says...

Happy days for Scotland! Couldn't believe our luck when we drew England! You guys are absolutely shocking! Scotland and Argentina to go through to quarters and England will just have to watch from the sidelines :-) Happy days!

Posted 12:51 2nd December 2008

Andrew Waddup says...

autumn internationals just a blip? Southern Hemisphere reffs ruining Endlands flowing rugby? get a grip! England need a lot of hard work and a bit of leadership and they should qualify from what is an easy group, lets face it Argentina simply dont deserve their world ranking, so to be drawn in a group with Argentina as the main competition I think you got lucky, as for Scotland they may well beet Argentina and finish second or even first, as at the moment they are at least as good as MJ's England if not a class above! Wales will no doubt make things difficult for themselves again, probably coming close against SA and marginally beating Fiji ( We hope ). but once in the knock out stages surely Wales are the only home nation with a sniff of knocking the southern hempisphere of their perch?

Posted 11:44 2nd December 2008

Mike West says...

England will be over confident in this group and again it will pose to be their undoing, Argentina will top the group with England and Scotland fighting it out for the tie against New zealand.

Posted 08:41 2nd December 2008

Matthew Logan says...

well to be quite frank England's group if it is indeed England's group! will be a struggle for Scotland, England and the Argies. But lets take note, Scotland have always made the quarter finals and they aint gonna wanna stop that now!! England are recovering now and i'm sure they will be strong come game time and who can say what Argentina are going to bring to the table..... all i'm saying is that you can't pass judgement now, but things are shaping up for an awesome Tournament.

Posted 08:23 2nd December 2008

Sebas Anonimous says...

Nice to see Argentina and England in the same pool, as i am Argentine and my dad is English.

Posted 00:20 2nd December 2008

Philip Krajewski says...

Decent draw for England. At least we haven't ended up with hte kiwi's, aussies or springbok's!!!!! Should be able to beat Scotland and whoever the other 2 teams end up being. Argentina? Well i suppose we might stand a chance of beating them(we'll stand a bigger chance than Scotland, etc.). Lets just hope big MJ can replicate what he did as captain in 2003 as manager in 2011!!!!(if he's still at the helm that is!!!!) Don't fancy the Wales draw though. That on could be a tough group with 3 big teams in there at the moment (South Africa, Wales, Fiji). England, Ireland and Wales should all get through to the knockout stages but unfortunately for Scotland fans, they have a very slim chance of beating England or Argentina to one of those 2 places available. Come on England and Martin Johnson!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :-)

Posted 21:55 1st December 2008

Jonny Boy says...

wales have definately got the toughest group ..... bring it on england have definately got the easiest group .....lucky I guess. But then again you need to play rugby to get through to the next stage. Unlucky

Posted 19:45 1st December 2008

Chris Dine says...

The way England played in the recent games we will be lucky to qualify from even this group.

Posted 17:19 1st December 2008

Alistair Holland says...

Doesnt it say alot about the state of English Rugby that they are just happy not to face up to a decent southern hemisphere Rugby Nation. Youve got to beat them all to win the world cup and doesnt look like anyone in England thinks they can even get out of the pool stages....C'mon the Argies!!!

Posted 17:10 1st December 2008

Tawanda Pari says...

On the basis of World Cup precedent, projected player maturity and traditional strengths, one would have to conclude that only South Africa look to be certain to win their group. Admittedly a very early call, but Pool B has the shades of a "group of death" looming large. Not least because Scotland are showing signs of life and the Argentinians will always fancy their chances with their devil-may-care attitude to reputations. I am already fired up.

Posted 17:00 1st December 2008

Laurence Belt says...

Blimey we have been lucky there! Argentina are a good side, but play a similar brand of rugby to us and havent really set the world alight since the world cup, (again like us), scotland will be tight match but we should be looking to qualify from that group. Group D looks to be the tightest one.

Posted 16:51 1st December 2008

Anthony Morrison says...

Will New Zealand choke again and on their own turf? Isn't Dan Carter due a bad injury? Is November 2008 really a great time to peak? Mark my words, England's biggest threat is the Southern Hemisphere referees and their interpretation of the rules.

Posted 16:41 1st December 2008

Chris White says...

If this wasnt a fix then someone should be thanking the heavens!!! By far the easiest group and although Argentina will be no pushovers there is a real chance for england to qualify. If as some pundits are suggesting that the autumn internationals were just a blip..or is that too much to ask for?

Posted 16:30 1st December 2008
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