The draw for the pool stages of the 2019 Rugby World Cup will take place in May of next year with Ireland currently occupying a second-seed spot.
The draw for the 2015 renewal was made three years out from the tournament, in December 2012, but World Rugby have decided to move it closer to the event this time around.
The seedings will be decided based on the world rankings with Ireland now in seventh place, behind Argentina and ahead of France.
However, in the next 12 months Ireland face an extremely tough schedule, playing South Africa three times away and facing two Tests against New Zealand, one in Dublin and one in Chicago.
There are also home matches against Canada and Australia as well as a full Six Nations campaign.
For the last World Cup Wales found themselves designated as a third seed and were placed in Pool A alongside Australia and England.
A dramatic win over the hosts saw the Welsh qualify but Joe Schmidt and Ireland will be eager to avoid such a scenario in Japan.
With eight places at RWC 2019 up for grabs, the qualification process is already under way as more than 80 teams battle it out for a place in Japan.
The 12 teams that qualified by virtue of finishing in the top three of their respective pools at RWC 2015 are: Ireland, Argentina, Australia, England, France, Georgia, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Scotland, South Africa and Wales.
Chief Executive of Japan Rugby 2019 Akira Shimazu said: "We are very looking forward to the pool allocation draw taking place as it will be another significant step towards Rugby World Cup 2019.
"With just over two years to go when the draw takes place, we will be using it as a way to build excitement ahead of what we believe will be an amazing tournament for the game.
"It will also be another opportunity to build momentum in Japan and add to the increasing excitement that already exists.”
