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The world’s prime 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.
With eight video games to be performed throughout 5 days, right here is the agenda for week three of the Rugby World Cup in France.
Italy v Uruguay (Wednesday, 16:45 BST)
Background: Italy thrashed Namibia of their first recreation earlier than sitting out final week’s spherical of matches, whereas Uruguay produced a spirited show in defeat by France.
Italy are underdogs to get by way of Pool A, which incorporates France and New Zealand, however will probably be favoured to make it two wins from two matches.
Uruguay performed with fluency and threatened an enormous upset towards the French earlier than a few unforced errors price them, though the 27-12 defeat was their greatest end result towards a tier one nation.
What to look out for: Uruguay scrum-half Santiago Arata is a livewire across the breakdown and extensively recognised as among the best gamers in France’s High 14 with Castres. Count on to see him pop up all around the subject.
France v Namibia (Thursday, 20:00 BST)
Background: France have one foot within the quarter-finals and are prime of Pool A after beating New Zealand and Uruguay, though their much-changed aspect struggled for cohesion at occasions 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, dropping all 24 video games since their debut in 1999. Count on that file 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 event after recovering from accidents.
Argentina v Samoa (Friday, 16:45 BST)
Background: England are in a powerful place to prime Pool D, and whereas Japan nonetheless might have one thing to say about qualification, this match seems 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 trip.
The Pumas have been ranked sixth on the earth coming into the event, 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 need to hand him the ball in area 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 optimistic show of their loss to Wales, whereas Georgia have had a two-week break since dropping to Australia.
Fiji’s win over the Wallabies might imply even three wins from 4 is probably not sufficient to qualify from Pool C, so it’s primarily win or bust in Toulouse.
What to look out for: Portugal gained loads of pals and plaudits on account of their expansive method towards Wales. After dropping all 4 video games on their World Cup debut in 2007, this most likely represents their greatest probability 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 count on 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 crew, particularly with Ford’s spectacular begin to the World Cup. Farrell is obtainable for choice once more after suspension and is ready to make his first look of the event.
South Africa v Eire (Saturday, 20:00 BST)
Background: For a lot of, that is probably the most anticipated match of the event 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 might turn out to be a winner-takes-all contest if Eire lose to the Springboks in Paris.
What to look out for: Don’t count on 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 will probably be at the next degree than the rest seen at this World Cup.
Scotland v Tonga (Sunday, 16:45 BST)
Background: Scotland may have had two weeks to stew over their loss to South Africa and know they can not afford to slide up towards Tonga if they’re to emerge from Pool B on the expense of Eire or the Springboks.
The possibility of a possible qualification decider towards Eire will disappear if Gregor Townsend’s aspect don’t see off Tonga and subsequent opponents Romania.
Tonga have people with big expertise, though the query to be answered is whether or not they can produce as a crew to beat a top-level nation.
Like Scotland, they realistically must win their ultimate 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 varieties 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 crew 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.
A 3rd successive Wales victory wouldn’t assure their development to the final eight, nevertheless it must be sufficient – the Wallabies can be unable to complete above Warren Gatland’s aspect within the group and it will require both Georgia or Portugal to win their ultimate three pool matches, all with bonus factors, to face any probability of overhauling them.
Australia coach Eddie Jones, who led England to the 2019 ultimate, has described this recreation as “do-or-die” for his crew 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 go away a lot to ponder through the upcoming four-year cycle earlier than they host the subsequent Rugby World Cup in 2027.
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