Analysis: David Hands

England have avoided the three southern hemisphere superpowers in the draw for the pool stages of the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand.

Martin Johnson's side have been drawn in pool B with Argentina, Scotland, the top European qualifier and the winner of a play-off. In pool D, Wales face South Africa, their 2008 conquerors Fiji and the qualifier teams from Oceania and Africa.

Ireland will take on Australia, Italy and the second qualifiers from Europe and the Americas in pool C.

New Zealand have been drawn in Pool A alongside France, Tonga and the top qualifiers from the Americas and Asia. If New Zealand win their pool, England must do likewise to avoid a quarter-final meeting with the All Blacks.

The draw could have been far crueller to England following their miserable autumn Test series in which Australia, South Africa and New Zealand racked up a total of 102 points in smashing Johnson's men at Twickenham.

And the emphasis will now be on England winning their group to set up a possible quarter-final showdown with France.

England and Scotland have met once before in World Cup history - a 1991 semi-final in Edinburgh that the England shaded 9-6 before losing to Australia in the final. England's only previous World Cup meeting with Argentina came in South Africa 13 years ago and resulted in a hard-fought 24-18 success.

Scotland, world-ranked ninth to England's sixth, will not be too unhappy at the draw, given they could have been bracketed in the same pool as New Zealand and France.

The All Blacks' group, which also includes Tonga, Americas 1 and Asia 1, gives New Zealand a chance to avenge their shock 2007 World Cup quarter-final defeat against France in Cardiff.

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