England grouped with Argentina in 2011 World Cup

World Cup rugby finalists England avoided the three Tri-Nations teams in the draw for the 2011 tournament yesterday when they were grouped with Argentina, Scotland and two qualifiers yet to be decided.

England, winners in 2003 and runners-up last year, had slipped out of the top four in the world rankings and missed out on a number one group seeding to Argentina.

Hosts New Zealand were drawn with France and Tonga, the first time in the history of the competition that the French have been grouped with a Tri-Nations team.

Holders South Africa were grouped with Six Nations champions Wales and Fiji while twice winners Australia were pooled with Ireland and Italy.

Although the tournament is still three years away, England will be delighted to have avoided the teams who beat them heavily over the last three weekends at Twickenham.

The Pumas, who finished third in 2007, will be no pushovers but England's record against them is good despite a Twickenham defeat in 2006.

The presence of Scotland, their oldest rivals, in their group for the first time adds extra spice for England.

New Zealand, likely to start favourites even though they have not won the tournament since their 1987 triumph, have been knocked out twice by France, including the quarter-final upset in Cardiff last year.

South Africa were pushed all the way by Fiji in their Marseille quarter-final last year and given a tough work-out by Wales last month.

The knock-out format ensures that teams who qualify from the same pool cannot meet again until the final, as happened last year with South Africa and England.

No team who have finished second in their pool have gone on to win the World Cup.

The draw

Pool A: New Zealand; France; Tonga; Americas 1; Asia 1.

Pool B: Argentina; England; Scotland; Europe 1; Play-off winner.

Pool C: Australia; Ireland; Italy; Europe 2; Americas 2.

Pool D: South Africa; Wales; Fiji; Oceania 1; Africa 1.