Although the exact venue and date for the draw has yet to be determined, it will be held prior to the opening of the June international series. 

This gives all teams a year to make their move up the World Rugby rankings, which will be used to place teams into bands for the draw.

Twelve teams have already qualified by virtue of finishing in the top three of their respective pools at the 2015 Rugby World Cup, including Argentina, Australia, England, France, Georgia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Scotland, South Africa and Wales.

"The pool allocation draw is an important milestone in the run-in to any Rugby World Cup and it really helps to build excitement and momentum," said outgoing World Rugby chairman Bernard Lapasset, who is standing down to focus on his role as co-chairman of the Paris bid to host the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

"With the identity of 12 teams already known, it will be of huge interest to players and fans to know which sides will be in their pool for what will be a game-changing tournament in Japan.

"While the draw is closer to the start of the tournament this time around compared to the previous RWC, it is necessary to conduct it well in advance for logistical reasons and to allow for an effective ticketing programme to be implemented."

Bill Beaumont, who was unanimously elected the successor to Lapasset here today, was on the Board when the decision was taken to award Japan the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

Despite failing to qualify for the quarter-finals at the 2015 Rugby World Cup in England, Japan could take solace from winning three of their pool games, including a memorable 34-32 victory over South Africa.

"[The 2019 Rugby World Cup] will showcase the game in an area where we need to look constantly at expanding the game and Japan will a fantastic opportunity for us and hopefully for the whole region as well to get involved in rugby and start playing the game," said Beaumont, who will officially begin his term on July 1.

"No doubt there’s a lot more players - girls, boys, men and women - playing the game of rugby since the [2015] Rugby World Cup."

With eight places at the 2019 Rugby World Cup up for grabs, the qualification process is already underway as more than 80 teams battle it out. 

The regional stage has already commenced in Rugby Americas North, while this month will see the start of the process in Asia with Uzbekistan staging the Asia Rugby Championship Division 2 tournament featuring Singapore, United Arab Emirates and Guam as well as the hosts.

"We are very looking forward to the pool allocation draw taking place as it will be another significant step towards Rugby World Cup 2019," said Akira Shimazu, chief executive of Japan Rugby 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."