The draw for the pool stage of the 2015 Rugby World Cup takes place in London today. Ireland are in 'tier two'.
* The 20-team competition will comprise four pools, each containing five countries.
* Seedings are based on the current International Rugby Board world rankings, with teams divided into five tiers of four.
* Tier one is New Zealand, South Africa, Australia and France.
* Tier two is England, Ireland, Samoa and Argentina.
* Tier three is Wales, Italy, Tonga and Scotland.
* Tier four is Oceania 1, Europe 1, Asia 1 and Americas 1.
* Tier five is Africa 1, Europe 2, Americas 2, Repechage winner.
* The identity of tier four and five countries will be confirmed after World Cup qualifying games.
* A tier one country will be drawn into each of the four pools, followed by one from tier two, tier three, etc.
* The trademark ’pool of death’ is likely to be the one that includes Wales, who were World Cup semi-finalists in New Zealand last year.
* The top two teams in each pool will progress to the 2015 World Cup quarter-finals.
* The top three teams in each pool will secure automatic qualification for the 2019 World Cup in Japan.
* The competition will run from September 18 to October 31, 2015, with Twickenham hosting the final.
Villa Park, Birmingham. Capacity: 42,788
Brighton Community Stadium, Brighton. Capacity: 22,500
Ashton Gate, Bristol. Capacity: 21,497
Millennium Stadium, Cardiff. Capacity: 72,500
Coventry Stadium, Coventry. Capacity: 32,609
Pride Park, Derby. Capacity: 33,597
Kingsholm, Gloucester. Capacity: 16,500
Elland Road, Leeds. Capacity: 39,460
Leicester City Stadium, Leicester. Capacity: 32,262
Olympic Stadium, London. Capacity: 80,000
Twickenham Stadium, London. Capacity: 82,000
Wembley Stadium, London. Capacity: 90,000
Old Trafford, Manchester. Capacity: 75,811
Stadiummk, Milton Keynes. Capacity: 32,000
St James’ Park, Newcastle. Capacity: 52,387
St Mary’s Stadium, Southampton. Capacity: 32,689
Stadium of Light, Sunderland. Capacity: 49,000