Rugby World Cup Draw

By Tykefalcon
May 20 2002

Although the identities of several participants have yet to be decided, the draw for the 2003 Rugby World Cup has been made and it's not the result England will have hoped for.

The World Cup kicks off on October 10th 2003, with a series of pools, the winners and runners-up from each pool will go through to the quarter-finals.

England have got a tough pool, containing South Africa. If England finish in the top 2 they will go on to meet either the winner or runner-up from Pool D which contains New Zealand and Wales.

Looking at it England could have to beat all 3 Tri-Nations sides in order to win the competition.

England are seeded sixth behind Wales, as the competition seedings are based on the results of the 1999 Rugby World Cup results. By the time the competition kicks off the rankings will be 4 years out of date!! (Full ranking list below.)

Competition structure:
Pool A - Australia, Argentina, Europe 1, Europe 4, Africa 1
Pool B - France, Scotland, Oceania 1, Asia 1, Other Qualifier 1
Pool C - South Africa, England, Oceania 2, America 2, Europe 3
Pool D - New Zealand, Wales, America 1, Europe 2, Other Qualifier 2

Quarter-final 1: Winner D v Runner-up C
Quarter-final 2: Winner A v Runner-up B
Quarter-final 3: Winner B v Runner-up A
Quarter-final 4: Winner C v Runner-up D

Semi-final 1: Winner QF 1 v Winner QF2
Semi-final 2: Winner QF 3 v Winner QF 4

Final - November 22nd. England v Australia?

Top 8 Competition Seedings:
1. Australia
2. France
3. South Africa
4. New Zealand
5. Wales
6. England
7. Scotland
8. Argentina

See Planet Rugby for further information.

Planet Rugby - World Cup Draw