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Rugby World Cup: Scotland to taken on England at 2011 event

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Published Date: 01 December 2008
SCOTLAND and England have been drawn with Argentina in Pool B for the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
But both countries avoided red-hot tournament favourites New Zealand at today's draw, carried out in central London.

England, 2003 World Cup winners and 2007 runners-up, must overcome Scotland, Argentina, plus one other European country to emerge from qualifying and a play-off winner.

England, though, look set to face the All Blacks in the quarter-finals unless they win their group.

Wales have been drawn with reigning world champions South Africa, Fiji – the team that knocked them out of last year's World Cup – Oceania 1 (probably Samoa) and Africa 1.

Ireland are pooled with Australia, Ireland, Italy, Europe 2 and Americas 2.

The draw could have been far crueller to England following their miserable autumn Test series in which Australia, South Africa and New Zealand racked up a total of 102 points in smashing Martin Johnson's men at Twickenham.

And the emphasis will now be on England winning their group to set up a possible quarter-final showdown with France.

England and Scotland have met once before in World Cup history – a 1991 semi-final in Edinburgh that the red rose brigade shaded 9-6 before losing to Australia in the final.

England's only previous World Cup meeting with Argentina came in South Africa 13 years ago and resulted in a hard-fought 24-18 success.

Scotland, world-ranked ninth to England's sixth, will not be too unhappy at the draw, given they could have been bracketed in the same pool as New Zealand and France.

The All Blacks' group, which also includes Tonga, Americas 1 and Asia 1, gives New Zealand a chance to avenge their shock 2007 World Cup quarter-final defeat against Les Bleus in Cardiff.

Watch our Scottish Rugby video highlights show here



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  • Last Updated: 01 December 2008 5:37 PM
  • Source: The Scotsman
  • Location: Edinburgh
 
1

jj veritas,

01/12/2008 15:56:18
England have often had the luck to avoid tough teams in knock-out competitions. Now they have several years to prepare - and no excuses.
2

J.A.,

01/12/2008 16:01:56
This is a good draw for Scotland. Argentina could be ranked below Scotland by the time of the next world cup and we all know that Scotland could raise their game to defeat England.
3

TonyB,

01/12/2008 16:08:51
Good to note that the English posters on the beeb are completely discounting Scotland and claiming the group is an easy one to win. Quite how they can say that with the state of thier team at present is beyond me but I guess we shouldn't expect anything less.

Hopefully by 2011 the Scottish team will be playing consistently well and will have a couple of wins under their belts against the english so that they know what it takes to beat them.

4

Richard in exile,

01/12/2008 16:09:36
I think I would prefer to be in Scotland's shoes rather than in Ireland's or Wales'.
5

enomis,

01/12/2008 16:11:24
Richard:
Definitely!

Interesting that Wales have got Fiji again.
6

Truely English,

01/12/2008 16:21:34
There only needs to be one team and that is a British team. In this time of hardship for the economy one team would be much better for us all.
7

rifkin,

ottawa 01/12/2008 16:39:33

Can only assume #7 is English!
8

Silent Assassin,

Lining up #7 01/12/2008 16:42:33
Re #7....come on guys, don't rise to it. There would be open revolt if it was even suggested - I know it's on the cards for the Olympics soccer side, but outside that arena it won't happen.

So...leave the twunt to his carers, it's clearly medicine time!
9

Slasher McGurk,

01/12/2008 17:04:24
What a group, i am really happy. We stand a decent chance of getting through. I love how the english media have written off both Scotland and the Pumas. Sky sports coverage was almost as bad as the bbcs. Bring it on! Come on Scotland!
10

John south of Soutra,

01/12/2008 17:04:36
England, though, look set to face the All Blacks in the quarter-finals unless they win their group.
I think that comment from above says it all
11

Exiled Bear,

01/12/2008 17:34:13
agreed that #7 is on the wind, he'd obviously be glad to see a 4 nations tournament of a UK team, an ROI team, Italy and France.

Imagine Sky and the BBC wouldn't be too pleased either.

Back to the real world however, it is the best group we could have hoped for, though you'd expect MJ to sort out England's myriad issues before 2011, but we have a young squad who will develop as a unit,hopefully!
12

Bluehouse,

Edinburgh 01/12/2008 17:53:33
Not a bad group all considered.

Would have expected a more Scottish perspective from the Hootsmon in the article... Is this Johnston Press editorial staff cutbacks showing through?
13

Honest Opinion 2,

Clamecy 01/12/2008 18:03:35
Great draw for Scotland - hope the group games are in Dunedin = worth 9 points start to Scotland. We;re already saving up for the trip (since the Argy tour actually).Forget it No 13, you could well finish in 3rd group position. saves on their bar bill anyway :-).
14

New Town Resident,

01/12/2008 18:05:30
This is a great draw for both Scotland and England. Argentina are by far the weakest of the Pot 1 teams, so both home sides will have a very good chance of qualifying.

Think its also the only draw where the final can be Scotland v. England. Yes, Scotland to beat England in the final 35-34. That's the way to go, stick it to the Southern Hemisphere in their own back yard.

15

RichieSF,

San Francisco 01/12/2008 18:47:18
Great draw for Scotland, though we can't bank on England continuing to be as poor as they are now. I think we can beat Argentina by then as we have some good and great players coming through. can't wait for 2011!
16

JBA,

01/12/2008 18:53:21
Good draw for Scotland if RWC was next week, but much can change in the course of 3 years. Hopefully this squad can stay together. There is no doubt however that England will get very much better. Arguably they have the makings of a very powerfull squad.
17

Doc Martin,

Dundee 01/12/2008 19:06:00
3 years is a long time..... and like most, I have no doubt that our friends over the wall will be back to something like their best before then. Argentina, are a different kettle of fish. I fully expect them to start their development (and not stagnate) and preparation for this upcoming RWC. They will not want to rise to 4th and had a RWC S-F. Its going to be a cracker!!
18

Doc Martin,

Dundee 01/12/2008 19:11:37
"They will not want to rise to 4th and had a RWC S-F. "

Forgot to add... only to let it slip over the next 3 yrs. I think they have enjoyed dining at the big boys table. :=)
19

Silent Assassin,

01/12/2008 19:21:51
Draw isn't a bad one - just the coverage of it that gets me. BBC (that's the BRITISH Broadcasting Corporation) make it look like England are the only team worth thinking about. Arrogant shower of 'holes.

We need to bite the bullet now, blood some youngsters and get rid of anyone who won't be around for RWC '11. We're used to having a tough time for no reason other than selectorial phaffing about, so let's at least have a decent reason. There's the core of a good team there, but one or two who will be out of the frame in 3 years, so best we make the move now and get some others experienced in Test rugby.

Nothing to fear from anyone in that group, but let's give it our very best chance by planning for it!
20

George Haley,

Neu-Anspach 01/12/2008 19:35:07
#23 makes a good point but it is a hard call, just hope the team keep up the good momentum they seem to have at the present. Apart from one posting which appears to have originated from the Criminally insane ward at Broadmoor this is the most positive set of comments viewed for some time. No sniping at all which makes reading the postings much more enjoyable. Lets keep positive.
21

harvey05,

eh 01/12/2008 19:50:37
How old will Dan Parks be in 2011?
22

P Rayner.,

Latin America. 01/12/2008 19:54:30
Being English my primary interest is with them. Though the last few weeks have been difficult I´m fairly confident that by 2011 England will have a decent team. England anyway dohave a marvellous record in this competition and I expect, hope, for it to continue. Scotland by then may have a better team and Argentina a worse one. As of right now I don´t consider the draw to be kind to Scotland. Better to have faced one really tough team, but two or three weaker ones.
23

WSS,

sandbach 01/12/2008 22:30:21
This must be the easiest draw we could have hoped for and I am just wondering who will be the other QF - Argentine or Georgia or Rumania it might even if conditions are perfect be England but that's an outside chance.
24

Bob Corfield,

Wollongong 01/12/2008 23:18:08
Seems to be reasonable consensus here although why so many bother replying to #7 is beyond me. It was clearly a immature attempt to get your goat.

I suspect Scotland will do rather well in NZ and Australia will be improvers. In any event, if Scotland only were to win one game we know which one that would have to be. And I know where I'm going to be that day!

NZ (and Aust) will provide solid expat and heritage support for Scotland after their national side and it will be a WC of much promise. While much water must still flow down the Ettrick, I for one can't wait!
25

,

01/12/2008 23:58:51
Comment Removed By Administrator
Reason:
26

Silent Assassin,

02/12/2008 11:01:48
#27 - no chip whatsoever, just a plain statement of fact...the BBC is hugely London-centric and, if you read the first RWC article on their site, the headline says it all.

It just requires a wee bit more thought at the centre of the Beeb to get it right, but it's been that way for a long time and it's not just confined to sport. All I ask is for balance in their reporting - I mean we pay for them, right?
27

Smutley,

Embra 03/12/2008 15:57:41
Is three years long enough to find a stand-off? If we get one from NZ or Oz now, would they have residency by then?

 

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