Eddie Jones joked that he will visit Japanese temples to “pray really hard” before embracing England’s presence in the World Cup’s ‘group of death’.
For a second consecutive time the 2003 champions have been drawn in the competition’s most challenging pool, featuring France and Argentina and two qualifiers, most likely the USA and Samoa.
England crashed out of the World Cup at the group stage in 2015 following defeats by Wales and Australia, resulting in the dismissal of Jones’ predecessor Stuart Lancaster.
And there is every danger of history repeating itself after the draw staged at the Kyoto State Guest House pitched them alongside two more heavyweights in a brutal Pool C.
Jones quipped “nobody is going to die” when it was put to him that England had been drawn in the group of death and, while he will be seeking divine intervention, he ultimately views the games as ideal preparation for realising the ambition of lifting the Webb Ellis Cup.
“I’m going to visit the temples because I need to pray. I need to pray really hard!” Jones said.
“You think it’s difficult, but we’re excited by it. It’s not a a tough group, it’s a good group. To win the World Cup you have to win seven games.
“We’ve got two very big games against France and Argentina so it’s great preparation for getting to the final stages. We’re looking forward to it.
“Australia showed in 2015 that the tough games helped them for the ones further ahead. Australia went past Ireland and Argentina in the knockout stage.
“My experience of the World Cup is that having two tough games is the best preparation.
“We want to win the World Cup and to do that we need to be well prepared and there are no better teams than France and Argentina.”
Rugby Football Union chief executive Ian Ritchie reacted to England’s group demise in 2015 by removing Lancaster and appointing Jones and upon surveying the result of Wednesday’s draw he declared “bring it on!”.
“We know they’re difficult games but it’s a World Cup. Get on with it is what we need to do,” Ritchie said.
Reigning champions New Zealand face South Africa and Italy in Pool B with head coach Steve Hansen insisting there are a number of credible challengers to the All Blacks’ crown.
“England are one of our main rivals but South Africa, Australia and France are improving sides. By the time World Cup comes around, any one of those sides could win,” Hansen said.
“It’s knockout rugby so you can’t afford to lose. A number of teams could beat another team on a bad day.
“England are going to be a force. They’re getting better and better all the time, but they’re in a really strong pool.”
taylorman
Guest
Yes true, it's a conundrum, and two years in rugby- a lot can happen. Look at the last two with England and Oz!
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
C'mon Tman, the Wallabis lost in the quarterfinals in 2007, semi-finals in 2011 and the final in 2015. We've been consistently going one round better. Fear 2019 :P
taylorman
Guest
Three-peat, three-peat, three-peat! Reality is Riccardo, it's got easier each time since 2007, progressively. Kiwis will expect nothing else. The 24 years waiting to win one taught me how to accept a World Cup loss well enough, so I'd just prefer to win. Why not?
taylorman
Guest
Yes it's not just that they'll have a better group of players then, England have more momentum behind them than anyone. Eddies sorted their heads out but the playing strength will ensure the depth. Two years for a young side means the worlds at their feet.
Riccardo
Guest
Fair enough Fionn. It's just posturing this far out. But I already hear All Black fans gearing up for a three-peat. Which makes me cringe. Certainly possible but I wonder if some of them recognise just how difficult that will be...
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
The problem with any sort of WC analysis is that the draw is far too far out from the tournament, and form changes so rapidly and so quickly. If it was held today you assume England would qualify easily and Australia might struggle but should get through. We don't know what will be the case in a year or two.
Riccardo
Guest
Both Les Bleu and Los Pumas will give the Roses some valuable preparation for the later stages. I say this because I expect England, should they continue their progress under Jones, to emerge top of this group. It's probably a "pool of death" for the French, if anything. Argentina have made large strides and while they are still too inconsistent and maybe ill-disciplined, should have the wood on the French, depending on which French side turns up, of course. The Wallabies situation is curious. How bad has the national side been affected by what has been. frankly, an insipid campaign for ALL their Super Rugby sides?
Jeffrey
Guest
I think they are screwed. The group of death is one thing but they will be shattered by the time they reach the semis, with a likely showdown against the ABs. Imagine having to play, France, Argentina, Samoa/Fiji, a quarter final against Wales or Australia and then potentially against NZ in the semis. It's almost impossible to peak for all those games. Even if by some miracle, they make the final, they would be too exhausted mentally and physically to win it imo.
englishbob
Guest
yep, to be honest the group of death thing might be slightly over playing it. Without exaggerating Englands merits the other teams have more to worry from England than the other way round, England are 6/8 against france and 6/6 Argentina. To be pitted against two teams we at present we seem to have a decent measure of could have been a lot worse, id have rather had either of these two in the group than South Africa. That's not to say they aren't good teams, but Argentina are woefully undisciplined and until they sort that out they'll never beat NZ
taylorman
Guest
'“You think it’s difficult, but we’re excited by it. It’s not a a tough group, it’s a good group. To win the World Cup you have to win seven games." Wouldn't expect anything else from Eddie. A perfect group for England. Like 2015, if they don't qualify out of this, they're not good enough to win it. Have France or Argentina won the World Cup? Nope. Yet four in this tournament have, including England. Might be the group of death, but not for England it isn't. They'll cruise in.