14 December 2020

As it happened: Rugby World Cup 2023 draw

The 2023 Rugby World Cup draw takes place today to determine who will play who in the pool stage at the competition being hosted in France.

Each team has been placed in a band and teams from each band will be placed in a different pool.

The bands

Band 1 - South Africa, New Zealand, England, Wales

Band 2 - Ireland, France, Australia, Japan

Band 3 - Scotland, Argentina, Fiji and Italy

Band 4 - Oceania 1, Americas 1, Europe 1, Asia / Pacific 1

Band 5 - Africa 1, Europe 2, Americas 2, Final Qualifier Winner

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France captain Charles Ollivon speaks

Ollivon said: "We need to continue this momentum to be ready for this tournament at home.

“It’s an important step before the competition.”

De Villiers speaks

The South African wished the Springboks luck ahead of the draw

The draw begins

The draw has begun and so we will know who will play who shortly!

Emmanuel Macron speaks

Macron is at the draw to open proceedings and he has said how excited the country are to host the tournament.

Macron continues speech

President Macron is still speaking but fans who aren’t French do not know what he’s saying as the stream doesn’t have a translator

Monye is doing his best to keep viewers up to date!

Macron pays tribute to Christophe Dominici

Macron has sent condolences to Christophe Dominici’s and Gerard Houllier’s families

Bill Beaumont speaks

Beaumont said: "There can be no better place to celebrate the 200th anniversary for our sport. than France

“This will be for the whole of France with ten host cities, RWC 2023 will be great for rugby but not only for rugby.”

The draw will be drawn soon!

The draw is having a huge build up but the pool draw will begin soon

Just a few minutes!

We are just a few moments away from finding out who will play who!

Draw delay

The delay on the draw comes as they explain how it will all work.

The announcement of the pool draw should happen in a few moments

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