By Tim Cronin

We might be nearly three years out from the next Rugby World Cup, but the IRB’s announcement of the first three teams in each of the four pools has given us an early insight as to how the tournament might pan out.

To be honest, most of the groups appear relatively clear-cut. In Pool B South Africa are joined by Samoa and Scotland, and it’s hard to imagine anything less than a first place finish from the Springboks. Scotland have 1000 days to ponder an all-or-nothing game against Samoa for the other play-off berth, and much will hinge on their ability to play with accuracy and defend stoutly against the flair of the Pacific Islanders.

The winner of that clash in all likelihood won’t spend much more on their accommodation anyway, as they’ll play the second placed side from the ‘pool of death’ and almost certainly be winging their way home shortly thereafter. More from the ‘PoD’ soon!r

The All Blacks will win Group C, and Argentina will finish runners-up. Both sides will be more concerned about getting through the Tongan match injury-free than anything else, and their focus will very quickly shift to their potential foes in the next phase of the competition.

Those match-ups depend on the outcome of Pool D, which features France, Ireland and Italy. France and Ireland should go through, but there was just enough from the Italians in the recent month of tests to suggest they could tip up one of their more fancied neighbours, although it would go down as one of the ultimate upsets in World Cup history.

Barring a monumental event such as an Italian victory, Ireland could well top that group. While France are the top seed in Pool D they are notorious for being mediocre in group play, and there is a strong possibility they will meet the All Blacks in a bumper quarter final clash that will already have the men in black shaking at the thought of yet another sudden –death clash with their World Cup nemesis.

And so to Group A, and by far the toughest, most tightly contested of the four pools. One of the big problems with the draw being conducted so early is the shift in form and ability which can occur over such a long period of time, and I think Australia and England will be two of the three best teams in the world come 2015, the Wallabies having benefitting greatly from a challenging season this year which allowed them to blood a raft of young talent and create some much-needed depth in their squad, and England because their recent pounding of the All Blacks showed just how much potential their young side holds, and another 2 ½ years playing together will only enhance that.

So the Welsh have a daunting task ahead of them to say the least, but the other two sides will be so focused on their clash against each other that one could never rule out a mighty upset from the Welsh, who themselves looked good following a sound showing at the 2011 tournament, and a victorious 6 Nations campaign. It wouldn’t take much of a change in fortunes for the Welsh to bounce back from their recent string of defeats, which will add further uncertainty in this all-important group.

Winning that pool is critical, for, while a date with the Samoans in the Quarters would be a bruising affair, a clash with the South Africans is a thoroughly unappealing proposition, and that’s who lies in wait for the side that finishes runner-up in the ‘Pool of Death’.

All in all, there are already plenty of mouth-watering clashes lying ahead for Rugby fans the world over, with France v Ireland, Scotland v Samoa, England v Australia and both those sides against Wales being the match-ups which will be most highly anticipated.

Thanks to RugbyBoots.net for this article!