Schmidt hoping Ireland avoid big guns in World Cup draw

IRELAND will hope to avoid France and South Africa in today’s draw for the 2019 World Cup in Japan – as the fight for the 2023 staging of the competition between all three countries intensifies.

South Africa have re-entered the 2023 race after the government lifted a ban on the hosting of sporting events for certain sports due to their inaction on racial diversity.

Ireland remain strong favourites to win the staging rights when the result is announced in November.

Today, though, attention will alight upon Kyoto when coach Joe Schmidt (right) will attend the 2019 draw which may still unveil a difficult pool, despite Ireland’s status as top seeds. Ireland cannot face fellow top seeds Australia, New Zealand or England but would also like to avoid perennial World Cup bogey side Argentina, as well as the muchimproved hosts. Being top seeds provides other advantages in terms of match scheduling and the location of matches, although these will not be decided until much later as eight of the 20 teams have yet to confirm their qualification for the event.

Meanwhile, Peter Wilkins has been appointed as Connacht defence coach following the decision of incoming Edinburgh coach Richard Cockerill to install his own staff.

Englishman Wilkins, formerly of Queensland Reds, had a year left on his contract.

Connacht will appeal Bundee Aki’s three-match ban, relating to a misconduct charge regarding referee Ian Davies, in Glasgow today ahead of their Champions Cup play-off campaign in ten days’ time.

Ruan Pienaar and Charles Piutau have joined Vern Cotter’s Barbarians squad for their match against England at Twickenham later this month, before switching sides for the showdown with Ulster in Belfast on June 1.