Just as things were starting to look oh so sweet…
The 2019 World Cup pool stages draw took place in Kyoto, Japan today and Irish rugby fans will certainly be pleased with how it all turned out.
We'll definitely take that.
Here we go! #RWC2019https://t.co/xCS8PB5dIH— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) May 10, 2017
As one of the top seeds [fourth in the rankings], Joe Schmidt’s men were drawn in with hosts Japan, Scotland and the winner of qualification matches from Europe and a play-off.
The Pool A draw is by no means the toughest – that would be Pool C [England, France and Argentina for now] – but certain people were getting carried away. We must remember that Ireland rarely do things the easy way when it comes to World Cup campaigns.
Still, Joe Schmidt’s men now know what lies ahead and they will certainly back themselves to progress to the knock-out stages.
Were Ireland to top Pool A, they would play the second place team from Pool B in the quarter finals. Finish second in Pool A and they would get the winner of Pool B.
Well, look at Pool B…
Who's excited for #RWC2019? pic.twitter.com/J9BgdO18ZK
— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) May 10, 2017
That’s right, the reigning world champion All Blacks.
And, if that wasn’t daunting enough, South Africa are also there. Conor O’Shea’s Italy are also in Pool B but would be doing miraculously to get past either the All Blacks or Springboks.
We are 28 months(!) away from the start of the tournament but, looking at the current lay of the land, Ireland would be aiming to top Pool A to avoid likely winners of Pool B New Zealand.
