14 May, 2017
The Rugby World Cup draw took place in Kyoto today, as the 12 teams that have already qualified learned who their pool opponents would be when the tournament kicks off on September 20, 2019.
Japan, the first Asian country to host the tournament, are in Pool A with Ireland and Scotland, while two-time victor Australia will take on Wales and Georgia in Pool D.
Jones replied "nobody is going to die" when it was put to him that England had been drawn in the "Pool of Death", but he did joke that he will be seeking divine intervention.
Townsend said: "The first reaction is one of excitement that we know which pool we'll be in".
A screen showing the drawn pools is pictured at the Rugby World Cup 2019 pool draw at Kyoto State Guest House in Kyoto.
"I have no doubt that Japan will stage a unique and wonderful tournament in 2019".
"France are probably one of the most improved teams in the world and Argentina are improving rapidly".
"Whichever side we drew from the top band was always going to be very tough".
The All Blacks on Wednesday discovered they will come up against the Springboks, Italy and two qualifiers at the showpiece event in Japan in two years' time.
"Everyone will get excited by it, and we know each other pretty well so we'll just continue to get to understand each other before we get here", Hansen said.
"My experience of the World Cup is that having two tough games is the best preparation".
Eight more teams will join them, but we still need to wait until next year to see if they will qualify. "That will be great motivation for our players".
England were drawn with France and Argentina in a grueling Pool C. Two-time champions Australia are with Wales and Georgia in Pool D. Hosts Japan are with Ireland and Scotland in Pool A.
Interestingly if the top four in the betting finish top of their respective groups - which they are all odds-on to do - England and New Zealand will be on one side of the knockout draw and Ireland and Australia on the other.
"Our pool will be highly competitive and full of intensity, as a World Cup group should be", England coach Eddie Jones said. "They really improved over the last two years and are certainly a risky team".
"Overall, I think it's a very exciting draw for Ireland and playing the host nation I think is going to add that bigger buzz".
"They have some strong forward play and some gas out wide, so between now and 2019 we're going to have to learn a bit about them".
