The world’s high two groups collide as Eire tackle holders South Africa, whereas Wales face a crunch recreation with Australia and the quarter-final image ought to turn out to be so much clearer.
Right here is the agenda for the remainder of week three on the Rugby World Cup in France.
France v Namibia (Thursday, 20:00 BST)
Background: France have one foot within the quarter-finals after beating New Zealand and Uruguay, though their much-changed aspect struggled for cohesion at instances of their second outing.
They are going to be heavy favourites towards Namibia, who’ve scored 11 factors and conceded 123 in defeats by Italy and the All Blacks.
Namibia have by no means gained a match at a World Cup, shedding all 24 video games since their debut in 1999. Count on that report to be prolonged.
What to look out for: France have chosen centre Jonathan Danty and prop Cyril Baille to make their first appearances of the match after recovering from accidents.
Argentina v Samoa (Friday, 16:45 BST)
Background: England are in a powerful place to high Pool D, and whereas Japan nonetheless might have one thing to say about qualification, this match appears like a straight shootout for a spot within the final eight.
Michael Cheika’s Argentina barely landed a shot on the 14 males of England of their opening defeat, whereas Samoa started their marketing campaign with victory over Chile final day out.
The Pumas have been ranked sixth on this planet coming into the match, however Samoa have loads of nous and can impose themselves bodily.
What to look out for: Newcastle and Argentina wing Mateo Carreras barely had a contact towards England, however the Pumas will wish to hand him the ball in house towards Samoa.
Georgia v Portugal (Saturday, 13:00 BST)
Background: Each of those sides are taking part in for the second time at Rugby World Cup 2023 and are bidding for his or her first victory.
Portugal exceeded the expectations of many with a constructive show of their loss to Wales, whereas Georgia can have had a two-week break since shedding to Australia.
What to look out for: Portugal gained loads of buddies and plaudits because of their expansive strategy towards Wales. After shedding all 4 video games on their World Cup debut in 2007, this in all probability represents their greatest likelihood to get a primary ever World Cup win.
England v Chile (Saturday, 16:45 BST)
Background: With two wins from two video games and a quarter-final place virtually confirmed, England are anticipated to rotate their beginning XV towards World Cup debutants Chile in Lille.
George Ford kicked 14-man England to victory over Argentina and so they left it late to safe a strive bonus level towards Japan, however many will anticipate a extra dominant efficiency and scoreline towards Chile, the perceived minnows of Pool D who’ve conceded 11 tries in defeats by Japan and Samoa.
What to look out for: There was a lot debate about England captain Owen Farrell’s place within the group, particularly with Ford’s spectacular begin to the World Cup. Farrell is offered for choice once more after suspension and is about to make his first look of the match.
South Africa v Eire (Saturday, 20:00 BST)
Background: For a lot of, that is essentially the most anticipated match of the match thus far. Eire are the world’s primary aspect, whereas South Africa are ranked second and are the World Cup holders.
Each have gained their first two pool video games, accumulating 34 tries between them, and are in pole place to succeed in the final eight.
Nonetheless, Eire nonetheless must play Scotland on 7 October, which may tackle added significance if Eire lose to the Springboks in Paris.
What to look out for: Don’t anticipate both aspect to take a backward step. The possibility to attain a press release win towards a serious rival ought to imply the depth from each groups shall be at the next stage than the rest seen at this World Cup.
Scotland v Tonga (Sunday, 16:45 BST)
Background: Scotland can have had two weeks to stew over their loss to South Africa and know they can’t afford to slide up towards Tonga or Romania if they’re to emerge from Pool B on the expense of Eire or the Springboks.
Tonga have people with enormous expertise, though the query to be answered is whether or not they can produce as a group to beat a top-level nation.
Like Scotland, they realistically must win their closing three pool video games to have an opportunity of reaching the final eight.
What to look out for: Wing Darcy Graham scored three tries in World Cup warm-up matches and kinds a key a part of a harmful Scotland assault, which was stifled by South Africa of their opening recreation. Nonetheless, they need to discover extra openings towards a Tonga group that shipped eight tries towards Eire.
Wales v Australia (Sunday, 20:00 BST)
Background: Fiji’s shock win towards Australia has thrown Pool C vast open, however a 3rd successive Wales victory would assure their development to the final eight because the Wallabies could be unable to complete above Warren Gatland’s aspect within the group.
Australia coach Eddie Jones, who led England to the 2019 closing, has described this recreation as “do-or-die” for his group and it’s laborious to disagree.
What to look out for: Australia have by no means did not advance from the pool stage. An early elimination would depart lots to ponder in the course of the upcoming four-year cycle earlier than they host the subsequent Rugby World Cup in 2027.
CORRECTION: This text initially mentioned victory for Wales wouldn’t be sufficient to safe qualification, however has been amended as that’s actually the case.