Ireland drawn with France in RWC 2007

Eddie O'Sullivan's Ireland have a chance for revenge in the 2007 World Cup as they have been drawn against France in the group stages of the tournament.

France beat Ireland convincingly 43-21 in the quarter-final of last year's Rugby World Cup, a game in which O'Sullivan's charges disappointed.

The Triple Crown winners were one of the group of second tier teams, together with Scotland, South Africa and Wales, which comprised the beaten quarter-finalists from 2003.

World champions England will face South Africa in Pool A of the tournament.

Clive Woodward’s men were one of the four top-tier teams in the draw, together with the Australia, France and New Zealand, who completed the 2003 World Cup semi-final line-up and each head their respective group.

The draw pits England and South Africa in the group stage, as was the case last year when Woodward’s men won 25-6 in Perth.

England’s pool also includes qualifiers from Oceania and the Americas, plus a side which wins a play-off involving teams from Africa, Europe and the Americas.

Scotland, in Pool C, will face New Zealand while the Welsh must negotiate a group that features Australia if they are to at least match their performance in the last World Cup.

The draw made in Dublin today is:

Ireland drawn against France, Americas 1, Europe 3, Africa 1, in Pool D for the 2007 Rugby World Cup

Scotland drawn against New Zealand, Europe 1, Europe 2, Repecharge 1 in Pool C for the 2007 Rugby World Cup

Wales drawn against Australia, Oceania 2, Americas 2, Asia 1, in Pool B for the 2007 Rugby World Cup

England drawn against South Africa, Oceania 1, Americas 3, Repecharge 2 in Pool A for the 2007 Rugby World Cup