If the pools play out according to the world rankings, New Zealand and France, leading contenders for the trophy, would also be kept apart from England and Ireland until the final.
Argentina would be the other top-ranked nation on England and Ireland’s side of the knockout draw in that hypothetical situation.
Despite their current wretched run of form, with just two wins in 22 Tests over the past two years, Wales have a great chance of progressing as Pool F runners-up at the very least, with Tonga, the lowest-ranked team in band three of the draw, and Zimbabwe, making their first appearance at the tournament since 1991, also in their group.
Pool F’s runners-up will face a last-16 knockout tie against the runners-up of Pool C, containing Argentina, Fiji, Canada and Spain.
If Scotland finished second behind Ireland in their pool, a meeting against France would most likely be their reward.
