DRAW NO COMFORT

Pressure on ahead of World Cup D-day

- BY MICHAEL SCULLY

THE stakes have got higher for Ireland as they face the first two of six Test games between the summer and the crucial World Cup draw in December.

World Rugby's decision to now hold the 2027 tournament draw before Christmas means much is riding on the summer tour and Autumn Nations Series fixtures.

Currently third in the rankings, Ireland want to retain a high position for a good seeding.

It was hoped that World Rugby would hold off until later before making the draw after what happened in the last finals in France.