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.
