World Cup changes could end Joe Schmidt British & Irish Lions hopes

The 2019 World Cup pools will now be based on where countries are ranked in May 2017.

While it may seem insane to place teams in groups based on world rankings that will be 29 months old, that's the way World Rugby are taking their tea. The changes were announced by rugby's governing body in an event held in Dublin, this afternoon. World Rugby chairman Bernard Lapasset said:

"The pool allocation draw is an important milestone in the run-in to any Rugby World Cup and it really helps to build excitement and momentum. "With the identity of 12 teams already known, it will be of huge interest to players and fans to know which sides will be in their pool for what will be a game-changing tournament in Japan."

https://twitter.com/WorldRugby/status/730352333197066241 It means this summer's tours, the November internationals and the 2017 Six Nations are now of vital importance to Ireland. Last time out, in November 2012, Ireland needed to beat Argentina to secure automatic qualification for the 2015 World Cup. They achieved that with a 46-24 win. Joe Schmidt is unlikely, then, to experiment too much with his squad, and starting XV, in the coming months. Every Test result will have a bearing on the rankings and the opposition is tough - South Africa x.3, New Zealand x.2, Australia, Canada and the regular Six Nations crew. It may also scupper hopes Schmidt has on taking up the head coach role with the British & Irish Lions. Any coach that takes up the main job with the Lions must, they say, commit to the role for nine months. That would mean November internationals and next year's Six Nations. With allocation in the World Cup pools now on the line, getting a lengthy leave of absence from any Six Nations union will prove extremely tough.