2023 Rugby Union World Cup starts on 8 September 2023
France and New Zealand are in Pool A
South Africa, Ireland and Scotland face group of death
Rugby World Cup kicks off on 8 September 2023 (Getty Images)
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South Africa are the defending Rugby World Cup champions but they will have to face Ireland and Scotland in the Pool phase. Those three teams are in Pool B.
If that isn't bad enough, hosts France and New Zealand are in Pool A. This means that those two are are more than likely going to face South Africa, Ireland or Scotland in the quarter-final.
Regardless of what happens in those games, it is guaranteed that two of the top five favourites will exit the competition in the last eight.
On the other side of the draw England (Pool D) and Australia/Wales (Pool C) will be smiling. Their routes to the final looks far easier as they won't face any of those top ranked sides until the final.
