Wednesday 12 May sees two significant firsts in the world of international rugby. First is the draw for Rugby World Cup 2007 - the first time rugby's showpiece event has undergone a draw to establish the teams in each pool.
The second 'first' will be welcomed by global rugby fan and technophile alike: From 1200 noon GMT internet users will be able to watch the entire draw on the web, live from Fado's restaurant in Dublin.
The service is free, and available to anyone with Real Player or Windows Media software. The Draw will be streamed live at two speeds - one for users with 56K modems and the other for those with access to broadband.
Users should access THE DRAW in plenty of time to ensure they can watch the entire process, which will take less than 20 minutes.
World rugby's stars in attendance
In attendance will be some of the game's outstanding players and coaches.
Frenchmen Bernard Laporte, Fabien Galthié and Fabien Pelous will add to the event's distinctly French flavour, while England's Richard Hill, Irish captain Brian O'Driscoll and other leading players including Springbok captain John Smit and Scotland's Chris Paterson add to the significant cast.
Draw format
The five teams in each Pool will represent five tiers, the top tier made up of the four teams that played in the semi finals of Rugby World Cup 2003: Australia, England, France and New Zealand.
The second tier comprises the rest of the teams that made it to the quarter finals of RWC 2003 - Ireland, Scotland, South Africa and Wales.
The other three tiers will be filled by the 10 teams who emerge as winners from the qualifying tournaments in the five world regions, plus two more from play-offs involving the regional runners-up.