Holders and host nation Australia look likely to provide a formidable quarter-final obstacle for Scotland in next season's World Cup.

But the Scots could avoid a last-eight clash with the Wallabies if they can defeat Six Nations title holders and Pool B favourites France in Sydney on 25 October.

Ian McGeechan's men will probably be happy to have avoided New Zealand, their quarter-final conquerors during the 1987, 1995 and 1999 World Cup tournaments.

Argentina or Ireland - who still have to qualify for the finals - are likely last-eight opponents should the Scots head France in their pool.

"France won't be far off when the trophy is handed out.

"They are a physical, mobile side with plenty of speed and have become more disciplined under Bernard Laporte.

"They show a lot more caution before piling into dangerous situations and they will be difficult opponents."

Scotland's opening game is at the 30,000-capacity Dairy Farmers Stadium in tropical Townsville, home of the North Queensland Cowboys rugby league team.

They will face the top Asian qualifiers - probably Japan - on 12 October.

McGeechan's men then fly an hour south along the Queensland coast to Brisbane, where repechage qualifiers from either Europe, Africa or the Americas await.

Thrilling group clash

That will be followed by France at Stadium Australia, Sydney on 25 October.

France are no strangers to the Scots in World Cup campaigns.

The countries were pool opponents during the 1987 competition, drawing 20-20, while France won a thrilling group clash 22-19 in South Africa eight years later.

Scotland wind up their pool programme against the top Oceania qualifiers - Samoa would be likely opponents - also in Sydney, a week later.

If they finish as runners-up, Scotland's mission against the Wallabies, overwhelming Pool A favourites, will be at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane.

Should they win the group, Scotland will be off to the Colonial Stadium, Melbourne.

2003 Rugby World Cup groups

Pool A Australia, Argentina, Europe 1, Europe 4, Africa 1
Pool B France, Scotland, Oceania 1, Asia 1, Repechage 1
Pool C South Africa, England, Oceania 2, America 2, Europe 3
Pool D New Zealand, Wales, America 1, Europe 2, Repechage 2

2003 Rugby World Cup schedule

10 October: Australia v Argentina (Pool A) Sydney
11 Oct: New Zealand v Europe 2 (Pool D) Melbourne
11 Oct: France v Oceania 1 (Pool B) Brisbane
11 Oct: Europe1 v Europe 4 (Pool A) Gosford
11 Oct: South Africa v America 2 (Pool C) Perth
12 Oct: Wales v America 1 (Pool D) Melbourne
12 Oct: Scotland v Asia (Pool B) Townsville
12 Oct: England v Europe 3 (Pool C) Perth
14 Oct: Argentina v Africa 1 (Pool A) Gosford
15 Oct: Oceania 1 v Repechage 1 (Pool B) Brisbane
15 Oct: Europe 2 v Repechage 2 (Pool D) Canberra
15 Oct: Oceania 2 v America 2 (Pool C) Perth
17 Oct: New Zealand v America 1 (Pool D) Melbourne
18 Oct: Australia v Europe 4 (Pool A) Brisbane
18 Oct: France v Asia (Pool B) Townsville
18 Oct: South Africa v England (Pool C) Perth
19 Oct: Wales v Repechage 2 (Pool D) Canberra
19 Oct: Europe 1 v Africa 1 (Pool A) Sydney
19 Oct: Europe 3 v Oceania 2 (Pool C) Perth
20 Oct: Scotland v Repechage 1 (Pool B) Brisbane
21 Oct: Europe 2 v America 1 (Pool D) Canberra
22 Oct: Argentina v Europe 4 (Pool A) Sydney
23 Oct: Oceania 1 v Asia (Pool B) Townsville
24 Oct: New Zealand v Repechage 2 (Pool D) Brisbane
24 Oct: South Africa v Europe 3 (Pool C) Sydney
25 Oct: Australia v Africa 1 (Pool A) Adelaide
25 Oct: Europe 2 v Wales (Pool D) Canberra
25 Oct: France v Scotland (Pool B) Sydney
26 Oct: England v Oceania 2 (Pool C) Melbourne
26 Oct: Argentina v Europe 1 (Pool A) Adelaide
27 Oct: Asia v Repechage 1 (Pool B) Gosford
28 Oct: Europe 3 v America 2 (Pool C) Sydney
29 Oct: America 1 v Repechage 2 (Pool D) Wollongong
30 Oct: Africa 1 v Europe 4 (Pool A) Launceston
31 Oct: France v Repechage 1 (Pool B) Wollongong
01 November: Scotland v Oceania 1 (Pool B) Sydney
01 Nov: South Africa v Oceania 2 (Pool C) Brisbane
01 Nov: Australia v Europe 1 (Pool A) Melbourne
02 Nov: England v America 2 (Pool C) Brisbane
02 Nov: New Zealand v Wales (Pool D) Sydney

Quarter-finals
08 Nov: Winner D v Runner up C (QF1) Melbourne
08 Nov: Winner A v Runner up B (QF2) Brisbane
09 Nov: Winner B v Runner up A (QF3) Melbourne
09 Nov: Winner C v Runner up D (QF4) Brisbane

Semi-finals
15 Nov: Winner QF1 v Winner QF2 (SF1) Sydney
16 Nov: Winner QF3 v Winner QF4 (SF2) Sydney
Third-place play-off20 Nov: Loser SF1 v Loser SF2 (Play-off) Sydney

Final
22 Nov: Winner SF1 v Winner SF2 (Final) Sydney

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