2015 Rugby World Cup draw

Full draw for the group stage of the 2015 Rugby World Cup...

Pool A: Play-off winner, Oceania 1, Wales, England & Australia

Pool B: Americas 2, Asia 1, Scotland, Samoa & South Africa

Pool C: Africa 1, Europe 1, Tonga, Argentina & New Zealand

Pool D: Europe 2, Americas 1, Italy, Ireland & France

by Simon Rice (Online Sports... 12/3/2012 3:20:17 PM

Welcome to The Independent's coverage of the draw for the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

by Simon Rice (Online Sports... 12/3/2012 2:23:44 PM
The draw is scheduled to start at 3pm.

by Simon Rice (Online Sports... 12/3/2012 2:44:51 PM
Four pools of five teams will be drawn - with one team from each tier, based on the IRB world rankings, going into each group.

by Simon Rice (Online Sports... 12/3/2012 2:46:05 PM
The tiers are as follows...

by Simon Rice (Online Sports... 12/3/2012 2:46:15 PM
* Tier one is New Zealand, South Africa, Australia and France.

* Tier two is England, Ireland, Samoa and Argentina.

* Tier three is Wales, Italy, Tonga and Scotland.

* Tier four is Oceania 1, Europe 1, Asia 1 and Americas 1.

* Tier five is Africa 1, Europe 2, Americas 2, Repechage winner.

by Simon Rice (Online Sports... 12/3/2012 2:46:30 PM
Following England's 38-21 triumph over New Zealand at the weekend, they are the team to avoid from the tier two seeds.

by Simon Rice (Online Sports... 12/3/2012 2:54:43 PM
The other sides in tier two are Ireland, Samoa and Argentina.

by Simon Rice (Online Sports... 12/3/2012 2:55:07 PM
Wales, World Cup semi-finalists just 12 over a year ago, find themselves down in tier three following their poor showing at the autumn internationals.

by Simon Rice (Online Sports... 12/3/2012 2:56:13 PM
While not great news for the Welsh, none of the sides from the top two tiers will want to face them. Italy, Tonga and Scotland - the other sides in tier three, look a much easier proposition.

by Simon Rice (Online Sports... 12/3/2012 2:57:08 PM
The identity of tier four and five countries will be confirmed after World Cup qualifying games.

by Simon Rice (Online Sports... 12/3/2012 2:57:24 PM
The top sides, and those that make up tier one, are New Zealand, South Africa, Australia and France.

by Simon Rice (Online Sports... 12/3/2012 2:58:28 PM
The way the tournament works will see the top two sides from each of the four groups progress to the quarter-finals.

by Simon Rice (Online Sports... 12/3/2012 2:59:36 PM
The full list of venues is: Villa Park, Birmingham; Brighton Community Stadium, Brighton; Ashton Gate, Bristol; Millennium Stadium, Cardiff; Coventry Stadium, Coventry; Pride Park, Derby; Kingsholm, Gloucester; Elland Road, Leeds; Leicester City Stadium, Leicester; Olympic Stadium, London; Twickenham Stadium, London; Wembley Stadium, London; Old Trafford, Manchester; Stadiummk, Milton Keynes; St James’ Park, Newcastle; St Mary’s Stadium, Southampton; Stadium of Light, Sunderland.

by Simon Rice (Online Sports... 12/3/2012 3:00:17 PM
The Webb Ellis trophy - this is what it's all about. The trophy will be handed to the winner at Twickenham on October 31, 2015.

by Simon Rice (Online Sports... 12/3/2012 3:03:16 PM
So the nightmare draw in theory for England would see them up against Wales and reining World Champions New Zealand. Although following the weekend's victory at Twickenham, Stuart Lancaster's side will be fearing no-one.

by Simon Rice (Online Sports... 12/3/2012 3:05:54 PM
An easier path to the knock out phase would see England grouped together with France and Scotland.

by Simon Rice (Online Sports... 12/3/2012 3:06:39 PM
As we wait for the draw, which should kick off in a couple of minutes, re-live England's stunning victory with Chris Hewett's look back at the match.

by Simon Rice (Online Sports... 12/3/2012 3:08:02 PM
How did the England squad perform over the series? Chris Hewett rates the players...

by Simon Rice (Online Sports... 12/3/2012 3:09:17 PM
The draw is under way...

by Simon Rice (Online Sports... 12/3/2012 3:10:12 PM
Being drawn first by Richie McCaw are the sides from tier five which comprises Africa 1, Europe 2, Americas 2, Repechage winner. Not much to get exceited by there then.

by Simon Rice (Online Sports... 12/3/2012 3:11:09 PM
Pool A: Play-off winner

Pool B: Americas 2

Pool C: Africa 1

Pool D: Europe 2

by Simon Rice (Online Sports... 12/3/2012 3:11:36 PM
Now for tier four teams - again, we don't know their identity yet so not very exciting.

by Simon Rice (Online Sports... 12/3/2012 3:12:08 PM
Pool A: Play-off winner, Oceania 1

Pool B: Americas 2, Asia 1

Pool C: Africa 1, Europe 1

Pool D: Europe 2, Americas 1

by Simon Rice (Online Sports... 12/3/2012 3:12:30 PM
Wales are in Pool A.

by Simon Rice (Online Sports... 12/3/2012 3:12:35 PM
Scotland in Pool B.

by Simon Rice (Online Sports... 12/3/2012 3:12:43 PM
Tonga in Pool C.

by Simon Rice (Online Sports... 12/3/2012 3:12:51 PM
Italy in Pool D.

by Simon Rice (Online Sports... 12/3/2012 3:12:56 PM
England are in Pool A with Wales! Oh no.

by Simon Rice (Online Sports... 12/3/2012 3:13:18 PM
And Australia are the other side in Pool A - that's certainly the group of death.

by Simon Rice (Online Sports... 12/3/2012 3:14:34 PM
Pool A: Play-off winner, Oceania 1, Wales, England & Australia

Pool B: Americas 2, Asia 1, Scotland, Samoa & South Africa

Pool C: Africa 1, Europe 1, Tonga, Argentina & New Zealand

Pool D: Europe 2, Americas 1, Italy, Ireland & France

by Simon Rice (Online Sports... 12/3/2012 3:15:40 PM
What a nightmare draw for hosts England - it couldn't get much tougher than Wales and Australia.

by Simon Rice (Online Sports... 12/3/2012 3:16:43 PM
Let us know your thoughts on the draw...

by Simon Rice (Online Sports... 12/3/2012 3:18:01 PM
I thought the Chris Hewett article was pure class. Great writing.

by samuella 12/3/2012 3:19:04 PM
Faaaaak! That is a tought World Cup draw! #bigames #oz #wales

by LukeSmith11 via twitter 12/3/2012 3:19:34 PM
Rugby World Cup 2015 Pool Draw http://shar.es/6j4rK #goodluck Eng&Wales ...You have to beat the best to win so lets not moan!

by Ashleen Cousins via twitter 12/3/2012 3:19:42 PM
What a spicy World Cup group. All three of Eng Aus Wal will fancy their chances #RWC2015

by stuartbartley via twitter 12/3/2012 3:19:45 PM
The side 'Oceania 1' drawn in Group A alongside England will likely be Fiji - probably the strongest side of those yet to qualify.

by Simon Rice (Online Sports... 12/3/2012 3:20:57 PM
I think it is a terrific draw for Wales. A realistic chance that England or Australia will be eliminated at the group stage.

by Proakley 12/3/2012 3:21:01 PM
Hard draw for us in the World Cup. Australia and Wales #ouch

by Liam Rose via twitter 12/3/2012 3:22:59 PM
'Proakley' your comment is ridiculous. Wales are almost as bad as scotland. deluded welsh supporter.

by samuella 12/3/2012 3:27:23 PM
Tell us you thoughts on the draw. Who will progress from Group A? Is it a good draw for Scotland? Will Ireland fancy their chances?

by Simon Rice (Online Sports... 12/3/2012 3:28:05 PM
Scotland have quite a good group for the RWC. Just need to put the hard work in lads #SRU

by MCCrighton via twitter 12/3/2012 3:29:35 PM
Pleased with Ireland's group for the world cup

by Duney91 via twitter 12/3/2012 3:32:33 PM
I wonder where will Ireland v France be played in 2015? #GroupD #GroupDecider #2015RWC

by PaddyAllen64 via twitter 12/3/2012 3:32:40 PM
Samuella, wait for 6N when Wales 1st XV actually plays. You'll soon forget that flash in the pan NZ win. #EnglishArroganceNeverDies

by samuella_talks_balls 12/3/2012 3:34:14 PM
Proakley and Samuella are both very wrong. 3 years time anything could happen in group A. All depends on who peaks at the right time

by Welsh person 12/3/2012 3:42:58 PM
Thank you for joining us for the draw for the 2015 Rugby World Cup. You can read more about it here.

by Simon Rice (Online Sports... 12/3/2012 4:07:30 PM