By Amanda Little

Last updated 11:25, Tuesday, 02 December 2008

GEORGE GRAHAM and Steve Borthwick – who both have city links – could clash in the group stages of the 2011 World Cup.

England rugby captain Steve Borthwick sits outside before heading into a press conference in Auckland, New Zealand, Thursday, June 5, 2008. (AP Photo/NZPA, Wayne Drought) ** NEW ZEALAND OUT **

England captain Borthwick, who is from Carlisle, and Scotland forwards coach Graham, still based in the city since his time with Carlisle Border Raiders, are on course to collide 12,000 miles from home in New Zealand.

England manager Martin Johnson predicted a “hell of a game” against Scotland when the two old enemies meet in the group stages of the 2011 World Cup.

Both sides avoided Tri-Nations super-powers New Zealand, South Africa and Australia, who all enjoyed convincing victories at Twickenham last month.

They are joined in Pool B by fourth seeds Argentina with the final two berths to be filled by the leading European qualifier - possibly Georgia or Romania - and a play-off winner. In 2007, that was Portugal.

England’s potential quarter-final opponents will come from Pool A and are almost certain to be either New Zealand or France.

It is hard enough for Johnson to consider what might happen three years hence, nevermind predict potential knock-out opponents.

But he knows England’s second World Cup encounter with Scotland - the first was a 9-6 victory in the 1991 semi-final - will be a seismic occasion.

“Playing Scotland in the World Cup will be a hell of a game, with huge passion. We haven’t played them in a World Cup since 1991. That was a tight game,” he said.

But Johnson refused to buy into the theory that England had escaped lightly in yesterday’s draw just because they avoided Australia, South Africa and New Zealand.