Scotland are in the "toughest pool" at the 2023 Rugby World Cup after being drawn against South Africa and Ireland, says head coach Gregor Townsend.

Qualifiers from Asia/Pacific and Europe will complete Pool B in France.

"All three teams are in the top eight in the world, which means it is going to be very competitive," said Townsend.

"There's an excitement that you see the draw and you think ahead to Paris in three years' time - I think it will be a wonderful tournament. And then there's the reality of who you are going to play against. I believe it's the toughest pool.

"On current world rankings - Ireland are fifth, South Africa are first, they are the world champions, and we're seventh."

Scotland were in band three for the draw since Covid-19 meant teams were graded on where they stood in January as some nations, including South Africa, have not played at all in 2020.

Townsend's side failed to progress from their pool at the last World Cup following an opening 27-3 loss to Ireland and defeat by hosts Japan. It was only the second time the Scots had not made the quarter-finals since the tournament began in 1987.

This year they lost again to Ireland in the Six Nations and Autumn Nations Cup, both matches played in Dublin.

Last week, Townsend signed a contract extension that keeps him in the post for the World Cup and makes him Scotland's longest-serving head coach of the professional era.

"I love working with this group of players and the staff we have and it does get you looking forward to a big tournament," he said.

"There is that long-term focus of developing a team and a squad that can play its best rugby in 2023."

'An incredibly tough draw'

South Africa were 26-20 winners on their last visit to Murrayfield in November 2018, and cruised to a 34-16 victory when the teams met in the 2015 World Cup pool phase.

"It's an incredibly tough draw," former Scotland captain Rory Lawson told BBC Scotland. "We learned at the last World Cup how important momentum is and that opening loss really put Scotland on the back foot. There has to be a focus on starting well, then you can build your way into the other matches.

"South Africa and Ireland play a similar, physical, kick-focused game, so it will be interesting to see how Gregor looks to nullify that.

"The World Cup is still a long way off and there are a few more opportunities against Ireland to come, so this will put an extra emphasis on those."

Scotland's best showing at a World Cup came in 1991 when they lost 9-6 to England in a tense semi-final at Murrayfield.

France staged the World Cup in 2007, with South Africa winning their second title. The 2023 tournament will be played from 8 September-21 October 2023 across 10 cities, with the full fixture list to be announced at the end of February.

'A savagely difficult draw for Scotland' - analysis

BBC Scotland's Tom English

It could have been worse, but not a whole lot worse. Getting pitched in with world champions South Africa and an Ireland team that have made a habit of beating up the Scots is a savagely difficult draw.

And if Scotland somehow manage to navigate their way through through this group they have either New Zealand or hosts France in the quarter-final. Marvellous.

Scotland faced the Springboks in the 2015 World Cup and got battered. They faced Ireland in the 2019 World Cup and got battered. The next World Cup is a long way off and things might change, but on the face of it this looks like another early exit.

Sorry if that sounds fatalistic but it's the only logical conclusion when you see how ridiculously strong the Springboks are - with waves of fine young players coming through - and how lamentably poor Scotland's record is against Ireland.