Rugby World Cup 2023: Gregor Townsend reacts to ‘toughest pool’ as Scotland are drawn against South Africa and Ireland

Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend admits the excitement of the 2023 World Cup draw was swiftly tempered by being placed in the “toughest pool” alongside South Africa and Ireland.

Electronic boards show the pool stage draw in Paris for Rugby World Cup 2023. Picture: Christophe Ena/AP

The Scots were always at risk of being handed a tough assignment due to a seeding system based on world rankings from the start of the year leaving them in the lowest band of qualified countries.

Townsend’s men were eliminated at the end of the pool stage during a poor display at last year’s tournament in Japan and now face an uphill battle to avoid a repeat in three years’ time.

South Africa top the rankings and are the reigning world champions, while Scotland hold a miserable recent record against the Irish.

Qualifiers from Asia/Pacific and Europe will complete the five-team group.

“There’s an excitement that you see the draw and you think ahead to Paris in three years’ time – I think it will be a wonderful tournament,” said Townsend.

“And then there’s the reality of who you are going to play against. I believe it’s the toughest pool.

“On current world rankings – Ireland are ranked fifth in the world, South Africa are ranked first, they are the world champions, and we’re ranked seventh – all three teams are in the top eight in the world, which means it is going to be very competitive.”

Gregor Townsend will lead Scotland into his second Rugby World Cup as coach.

Based on current world rankings, Scotland would have been among the second seeds, ahead of Wales.

However, the coronavirus pandemic’s impact on international rugby meant teams were banded on where they stood 11 months ago as some sides, including the Springboks, have not played in 2020.

Townsend, who last week extended his contract until the World Cup, added: “I feel very honoured to be given that extension. I love working with this group of players and the staff we have and it does get you looking forward to a big tournament.

French Rugby Federation president Bernard Laporte beside the Rugby World Cup trophy at the pool stage draw in Paris.

“There is that long-term focus of developing a team and a squad that can play its best rugby in 2023.”

Ireland have won 20 of their previous 25 meetings with Scotland, including at last year’s World Cup, plus Six Nations and Autumn Nations Cup victories this year.

Head coach Andy Farrell believes the draw has given Ireland and Scotland’s players further incentive to play their way into contention for the 2021 British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa.

“There’s nothing better than a Rugby World Cup draw to get the juices flowing, so super excited,” said Farrell.

“With the Lions tour, what an opportunity for the Scots and for the Irish boys to put their hand up during this Six Nations and get on that tour and learn all about what it’s like to take the world champions on in their own backyard.

“There is nothing more exciting for a player than that. It’s a big couple of years ahead for all of us really.”

England, beaten finalists in 2019, have been drawn in Pool D with Japan and Argentina, while Wales will face Australia and Fiji in Pool C.

Hosts France have the daunting prospect of taking on three-time world champions New Zealand in Pool A, a group which also contains Six Nations rivals Italy.

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this article. We're more reliant on your support than ever as the shift in consumer habits brought about by coronavirus impacts our advertisers.

If you haven't already, please consider supporting our trusted, fact-checked journalism by taking out a digital subscription.