Scotland should come away from the Rugby World Cup draw fairly buoyant after being selected in a competitive group, but one that can be realistically overcome.
Scotland have been drawn in Pool B with South Africa, Samoa, the top qualifying Asian nation and the second top qualifying American nation.
In all likelihood, those last two places would be filled by Japan and the USA, if the rankings are anything to go by at the moment. Given recent form, both of those games would provide stern tests for the current Scotland squad.
It's by no means an easy group, clearly, but in comparison to 1 or 2 of the others, Scotland will feel relatively relieved.
The full draw for RWC 2015
Pool A sees hosts England being drawn with Wales who found themselves in the 3rd qualifying pool following their last gasp defeat to Australia, and to the Australians themselves. All three have history between each other, and it should prove to be mouth watering. England will have a clear home advantage come the World Cup, but there is no way of telling which of these three are likely to miss out on the quarter finals.
In Pool C, Webb Ellis trophy holders New Zealand have a reasonably comfortable looking group with Argentina and Tonga. As we know, the Tongans are all too able to cause an upset, but you would fully expect the All Blacks and Pumas to make the grade in this one. By the time the World Cup finally comes round, Argentina will have competed in 4 Rugby Championship's and should be a stronger team than we know today.
Pool D is all about European rivalries with France, Ireland and Italy all being drawn together. If history and 6 Nations form is anything to go by, France and Ireland would expect to graduate from this group, but both teams have history of upsets in the early stages of World Cups.
Not much can be analysed at such an early stage, and it will be another 2 years before the groups have been fully fleshed out following the conclusion of the qualifying rounds. Lots to mull over certainly, but there's a lot of rugby to be played between now and RWC 2015.
No comments:
Post a Comment