Ireland have been drawn alongside France and Italy in Pool D of the Rugby World Cup 2015.

Declan Kidney’s men will also face either the USA or Canada (winner of the Americas 1 stage), and the runner-up from a qualifying group containing Georgia, Romania, Spain, Russia, Portugal and Belgium.

The draw also means that should Ireland qualify in second place, they would most likely face New Zealand in the quarter-finals, the All Blacks being the band 1 nation in Pool C.

In the event that Ireland win the pool, a showdown with Argentina is on the cards.

Host nation England have been drawn in the same pool as Wales and Australia.

Scotland are in with Pool B rivals South Africa, Samoa, Asia 1 and Americas 2.

The tournament kicks off on 18 September, 2015, with Twickenham staging the final six weeks later.

England's group - Pool A - will be completed by two qualifiers, Oceania 1 (probably Fiji) and the play-off winner, possibly Uruguay.

Pool A: Australia, England, Wales, Play-off winner, Oceania 1

Pool B: South Africa, Samoa, Scotland, Americas 2, Asia 1

Pool C: New Zealand, Argentina, Tonga, Africa 1, Europe 1

Pool D: France, Ireland, Italy, Americas 1 (Either USA or Canada), Europe 2 (2nd-place team from Georgia, Romania, Spain, Russia, Portugal and Belgium)