England could pay heavy price for autumn failings

Ireland and England will tomorrow learn their 2011 World Cup fates after being left on a probable collision course with one of the Tri-Nations heavyweights.

England manager Martin Johnson will not shed a tear if England are grouped with 2007 World Cup semi-finalists Argentina, whereas Declan Kidney's Ireland wouldn't relish another physically punishing battle with the Pumas.

But it could also be one of New Zealand, South Africa or Australia.

Ireland stayed in eighth place in the International Rugby Board world rankings thanks to their victory over Argentina last weekend, while England dropped to sixth place following their 32-6 loss to the All Blacks yesterday.

Wales moved one place above them following a thrilling 21-18 success against Australia.

France join Ireland, England and Wales in band two, with Scotland, Italy, Fiji and Tonga forming band three, completing the list of 12 pre-qualified teams.

The remaining two bands will comprise eight countries yet to qualify, but should eventually include sides like Samoa, Canada, Georgia and Japan.

One country from each band will form four groups of five for the 20-team tournament.

Wales, meanwhile would have leapfrogged Argentina into fourth spot – and avoided any of the southern hemisphere super-powers – had they defeated Australia by 15 points or more.

And they had their opportunities to achieve such an unlikely margin of victory - a fact not lost on Wales head coach Warren Gatland.

“We did speak about World Cup seedings,” said Gatland.

“Again, if we hadn’t conceded a soft try from a lineout and not missed some kicks (Wales may have won by 15 or more).

“We did send the message on with two minutes left that we were eight points clear and that a converted try would give us a 15-point lead.

“Unfortunately, they (Australia) scored a try and it went down to the wire at the end.”

There has been some criticism of the decision to formulate the New Zealand 2011 draw based on world rankings almost three years before the event.

But Kit KcConnell, head of Rugby World Cup 2011, said: “The draw is very important for us because from there we can develop the match schedule, we can select team base camps and we can also develop the ticketing strategy for the tournament.

“Those three elements are really critical to putting the building blocks in place early enough to make 2011 the same success as we saw in France (2007).

“By having certainty about which teams are playing which other teams in each pool, we can develop the match schedule.

“That is obviously of critical importance to the teams and also the supporters to know who is playing which other teams when, and where, and we will be announcing that in March, so that is really the next key step in the tournament preparations.”

The draw takes place in central London tomorrow afternoon.

2011 World Cup draw

Band One – New Zealand, South Africa, Australia, Argentina.

Band Two – Wales, England, France, Ireland.

Band Three – Scotland, Fiji, Italy, Tonga.

Band Four – Oceania 1, Europe 1, Europe 2, Americas 1.

Band Five – Africa 1, Asia 1, Americas 2, Play-off winners.