his weekend’s final round of pool fixtures will determine the quarter-finalists at the Rugby World Cup. Here, Standard Sport runs through all the last-eight permutations amid a hectic schedule.
Pool A
France only have to avoid defeat against Italy on Friday night to top the pool, while New Zealand are already through after completing their schedule with a thumping 73-0 win over Uruguay on Thursday.
Pool B
Ireland, South Africa and Scotland can all still reach the last eight. South Africa have completed their schedule and currently top the pool.
Ireland face Scotland on Saturday in a match that could yet see any of the three sides dumped out of the competition. Ireland will top the pool with a win, sending Scotland home.
Scotland can knock Ireland out with a bonus-point win that denies Ireland any match points.
If Scotland beat Ireland by 21 points or more, they would top the pool, with Ireland finishing second ahead of South Africa on the head-to-head rule – sending the Springboks home.
Even a draw would send Ireland through as pool winners, with South Africa second.
Ireland are not yet safe from Rugby World Cup elimination despite toppling South Africa
/ PAPool C
Wales have already qualified, with Fiji likely to send Australia home this weekend. Fiji need just one match point against Portugal on Sunday to confirm second place in the pool and knock out the Wallabies.
If Fiji lose and claim no match points, Australia will finish second and reach the last eight.
Pool D
England have already topped Pool D. The winner of Japan and Argentina will finish second and qualify for the last eight.
Samoa could yet sneak into the last eight however, if they beat England by at least 29 points – and Japan and Argentina draw with neither team claiming a try bonus point.
