England face Boks rematch - 橄欖球

Wednesday, 12 May, 2004, 11:19 GMT 12:19 UK
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/international/3704587.stm

England face Boks rematch

England will face a repeat of their 2003 World Cup group match against
South Africa when they defend their title in France in 2007.

The Springboks were drawn in the same group as the world champions when
the draw for the next tournament was made in Dublin on Wednesday.

England beat South Africa 25-6 en route to their triumph in Australia.

Wales were drawn in the same group as Australia, while Ireland will face
France and Scotland meet New Zealand.

England have won their last five Tests against the Springboks, but were
still handed probably the hardest of the four possible second-tier opponents.

They are also likely to have Samoa - who gave them such a fright in the
pool stages in Australia - or Fiji in their group as the top Oceania qualifier.

Pool A will be completed with either Canada or the USA likely to fill
the Americas 3 slot, while Tonga could come through as the second team
in Repechage section.

The second Oceania qualifer, possibly Fiji, will be in Wales' group
alongside two-time World Cup winners Australia, with the USA or Canada,
and Japan other likely opponents.

Wales will play two of their group games at home in Wales, including the
match against the Wallabies.

Scotland will also play two matches on home soil, with Italy - who beat
them in this year's Six Nations - in their group as well as New Zealand,
who they have never beaten in a Test match.

But Ireland will not have home advantage for their likely pool decider
against hosts France.

The Irish should find themselves in another 'pool of death' alongside
the Six Nations Grand Slam winners and Argentina, who are expected to
be the top qualifier from the Americas.

Ireland pipped the Pumas in their group encounter in 2003, before being
hammered by the French in the quarter-finals.

The three other spots in each pool will be filled by qualifiers, with the
identity of the other 12 teams involved not known for at least another two
years.

Ten will emerge from the qualifying tournaments from the five world regions,
while two more will qualify from play-offs.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

RWC 2007 Draw

Pool A
England
South Africa
Oceania 1
Americas 3
Repechage 2

Pool B
Australia
Wales
Oceania 2
Americas 2
Asia 1

Pool C
New Zealand
Scotland
Europe 1
Europe 2
Repechage 1

Pool D
France
Ireland
Americas 1
Europe 3
Africa 1

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英格蘭籤運真好啊哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈（乾笑）。=_______=

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