Rugby World Cup-holders South Africa have been drawn with Ireland for the 2023 competition while New Zealand are paired with France, England are in the same pool as Japan and Argentina and Wales will have to get past Australia and Fiji.
In Pool A New Zealand and France will reignite their World Cup rivalry and are joined by Italy, who were paired with the All Blacks in the 2019 competition.
In Pool B reigning champions Springboks will meet Andy Farrell’s Ireland and Gregor Townsend’s Scotland.
While in Pool C Wayne Pivac’s Wales are joined by Australia and Fiji, just like the 2015 pool stage.
And in Pool D Eddie Jones’ England will go up his old side Japan and Argentina, who beat the All Blacks for the first time in their history last month.
The draw, which took place at the Palais Brongniart in Paris, was based on rankings from January 2020, due to disruption caused to the international calendar by COVID-19.
It meant Wales, for example, were handed a reprieve as they were put in the first band of teams, whereas if the draw was based on rankings following the Autumn Nations Cup, they’d have been in the third grouping.
The tournament organisers will announce fixtures and venues in late February with tickets on sale in March.
Tournament director Claude Atcher has said they are hoping to sell 2.3 million tickets for the tournament, generating income in the region of €370m.
Pool A: New Zealand, France, Italy, Americas 1, Africa 1
Pool B: South Africa, Ireland, Scotland, Asia/Pacific 1, Europe 2
Pool C: Wales, Australia, Fiji, Europe 1, Final Qualifier Winner
Pool D: England, Japan, Argentina, Oceania 1, Americas 2