Farrell: Tough test to reach World Cup knockout phase
England captain Owen Farrell views advancing into the knockout phase of the 2023 World Cup as a major challenge after the Six Nations c h a m p i o n s w e r e d r aw n alongside Argentina and Japan in Pool D.
The resurgent Pumas finished second in the recent Tri Nations Series after producing an historic first victory over New Zealand, while Japan were recently elevated into tier one and are positioned 10th in the global rankings.
C o m p l et i n g th e g roup when regional qualifying has finished will be Oceania 1 and Americas 2.
“It’s a great pool to be a part of. If you look across them all, they’re all tough, tough pools,” Farrell said.
“With the way that Japan and Argentina are going at the minute, some of the rugby that has been played over the last few years by them both, obviously it’s going to be a tough pool.
“Argentinaareanunbelievably passionate team. Everybody knows that. The way that they performed recently is obviously fantastic.
“Butathesametimethere’s a long time to go before the World Cup and there’s a lot of time for everybody to improve and make a run for it.
“Everybody is looking to build to make sure that when the World Cup starts they’ll be at their best.”
Meanwhile, Scotland and Ireland are on a collision course for a second successive Rugby World Cup after the 2023 pool draw was made in Paris.
Ireland triumphed when the countries met in Japan last year, with Scotland going on to make a pool stage exit. And this time around, they also have the considerable challenge of tackling world champions South Africa, who were drawn as top seeds in Pool B.
The group will be completed by qualifiers from Asia/Pacific and Europe.
Wales, who have dropped from fourth to ninth in the rankings this year, were one of thecountriestobenefitasthey were included among the top seeds.AndWaynePivac’steam could find themselves in exactly the same group as 2019, which they won and went on to reach the semi-finals before being beaten by South Africa.
Australia and Fiji are confirmed Pool C opponents, along with the Europe 1 qualifier – potentially Georgia – and finalqualifierwinner,possibly Uruguay.
Should those countries fill the two qualifying slots, then fourth seeds Wales will be in an identical pool of five from Japan 2019.