Ireland learn World Cup draw

Ireland, who enjoyed a successful Rugby League World Cup two years ago, have been drawn alongside England, Australia and Fiji in Group A in the 2013 event.

Holders New Zealand have been paired with PNG, France and Samoa.

Three teams from each of the two main groups will progress to the last eight, with only the winners of the other two groups going through.

This time the competition has been enlarged from 10 teams to 14.

Group Structures:

Group A: England, Australia, Fiji, Ireland (three go through to quarter-finals).

Group B: New Zealand, France, Papua New Guinea, Samoa (three go through to quarter-finals).

Group C: Scotland, Tonga, European qualifier (winners through to quarter-finals).

Group D: Wales, Cook Islands, Atlantic qualifier (winners through to quarter-finals).

In Groups C and D, teams play the other nations in their group and also one team from the opposite group as follows: Scotland v Atlantic qualifier, Tonga v Cook Islands, Wales v European qualifier.