Morning Star international editor ROGER McKENZIE reminisces on how he became an Aston Villa fan, and writes about the evolution of the historic club over the years
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Wales could reap World Cup reward from a poor 2020
Top-tier status for struggling side means they'll avoid the likes of South Africa
Wales' Gareth Davies (second left) breaks through on his way to scoring his side's third try of the game during the Autumn Nations Cup match at Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli
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WALES are likely to prove major beneficiaries of the rankings that will shape the 2023 Rugby World Cup pool draw in Paris today.
The coronavirus pandemic’s impact means that teams will be banded on where they stood in World Rugby’s official rankings 11 months ago.
Positions after the autumn Tests would normally be used to form the draw bands – which ensure that the best-ranked teams are dispersed evenly among the tournament’s pools – but teams such as South Africa and Japan have not played this year.
Wales have dropped from fourth in January to ninth after winning just three out of 10 games under new head coach Wayne Pivac.
But they will still be in band one rather than band three, allowing them to avoid reigning champions South Africa, last year’s beaten finalists England and three-time tournament winners New Zealand.
On the other hand, host nation France will be in band two – rather than enjoying the band one status they would have had based on current rankings – while Scotland and Argentina move from band two to band three.
The draw will be streamed on World Rugby’s digital accounts (Twitter: @WorldRugby) from 11am GMT on Monday
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