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Rugby World Cup permutations: Who needs what to qualify for the quarter-finals?

Rugby World Cup permutations: Who needs what to qualify for the quarter-finals?
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Ahead of the final round of Rugby World Cup pool stage fixtures, Sports Mole looks at all of the permutations and who needs what to reach the quarter-finals.

The final round of Rugby World Cup pool games takes place this weekend, with six of the eight quarter-final places still up for grabs.

Wales and England are the only two teams to have booked their places in the knockout rounds so far, with Wales securing their spot courtesy of victory over Australia and England sealing first place in Pool D thanks to Japan's win over Samoa.

There is still plenty to be decided heading into the final weekend of the groups, with the likes of France, New Zealand, Ireland and South Africa among the nations still with some work to do to reach the last eight.

Here, Sports Mole rounds up all of the permutations for each group ahead of the final round of pool fixtures.



POOL A

Rugby World Cup Pool A

FIXTURES

New Zealand vs. Uruguay (Thursday, 8pm)
France vs. Italy (Friday, 8pm)

Already qualified: None
Already eliminated: Namibia

  • France will finish top of the group if they avoid defeat against Italy.

  • France would also top Pool A if they pick up two losing bonus points, as long as Italy do not get a try-bonus point in victory.

  • France would finish ahead of New Zealand on the head-to-head rule if both end up on 15 points.

  • New Zealand will qualify for the quarter-finals with a bonus-point win.

  • If France, Italy and New Zealand all finish on 15 points, the All Blacks would finish top due to their superior points difference, while Italy would qualify in second ahead of France on the head-to-head rule.

  • Uruguay must beat New Zealand with a try-bonus point, and by at least 80 points, and will need France to defeat Italy in order to qualify for the quarter-finals.


  • POOL B

    Rugby World Cup Pool B

    FIXTURES

    Ireland vs. Scotland (Saturday, 8pm)
    Tonga vs. Romania (Sunday, 4.45pm)

    Already qualified: None
    Already eliminated: Tonga, Romania

  • Scotland must beat Ireland without Ireland earning a bonus point to finish second above Ireland, with South Africa topping the pool.

  • If Ireland get a bonus point and Scotland do not, Ireland will top the pool due to their superior head-to-head record against South Africa.

  • If Scotland beat Ireland with both teams claiming a bonus point, all of Scotland, Ireland and South Africa will be level on 15 points and top spot will be decided by points difference.

  • Scotland would need to win by at least 21 points to beat South Africa to top spot, in which case Ireland - if they pick up a bonus point - would finish second on the head-to-head rule and the Springboks will be knocked out. If Scotland win by less than 21 points and both they and Ireland pick up a bonus point, South Africa would finish top on points difference, Scotland would finish second on head-to-head and Ireland would be eliminated.

  • Ireland will finish top if they pick up at least two points against Scotland.


  • POOL C

    Rugby World Cup Pool C

    FIXTURES

    Wales vs. Georgia (Saturday, 2pm)
    Fiji vs. Portugal (Sunday, 8pm)

    Already qualified: Wales
    Already eliminated: Georgia, Portugal

  • Wales will secure top spot in Pool C if they pick up one point or more from their match against Georgia.

  • Fiji will qualify in second place if they claim one point or more from their match against Portugal, finishing above Australia due to their head-to-head record.

  • If Fiji fail to get a single point against Portugal, Australia will finish second and qualify for the quarter-finals.


  • POOL D

    Rugby World Cup Pool D

    FIXTURES

    England vs. Samoa (Saturday, 4.45pm)
    Japan vs. Argentina (Sunday, 12pm)

    Already qualified: England
    Already eliminated: Chile

  • Whoever wins the match between Japan and Argentina will finish second in the group and qualify for the quarter-finals.

  • If that match ends as a draw with both sides earning try-scoring bonus points, Argentina will qualify on points difference.

  • If Japan vs. Argentina ends as a draw and Japan are the only team to claim a bonus point, Japan will finish second.

  • Samoa would need for Japan vs. Argentina to be a draw with neither side gaining a bonus point, and to beat England by at least 29 points including a try-scoring bonus point to finish second.


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