The pool stage of the 2023 Rugby World Cup wrapped up on Sunday, leaving simply eight groups standing within the knockout spherical. They embrace 4 European nations and 4 from the southern hemisphere, with Australia lacking out on the quarter-finals for the primary time within the match’s historical past.
After a full month of motion that kicked off on September 8 with France’s dazzling defeat of New Zealand, the primary part of the Rugby World Cup drew to an in depth on Sunday in Toulouse, the place Fiji arrange a knockout conflict with England regardless of slumping to a historic defeat towards Portugal.
In the quarter-finals’ two standout fixtures, world primary Ireland will tackle the All Blacks and hosts France will face off with title holders South Africa. The opening quarter-final will see Wales tackle the Pumas of Argentina, who edged out Japan in a decisive contest earlier on Sunday.
5pm on Saturday, October 14 in Marseille
Wales entered the World Cup with expectations low on the again of a disappointing fifth-place end on the Six Nations. Having topped Group C forward of the spectacular Fijians, they may now fancy their possibilities towards an Argentinian squad that was soundly overwhelmed by England and earlier than holding off Japan to achieve the knockout stage.
9pm on Saturday, October 14 in Saint-Denis
Ireland have lived as much as their world primary rating, profitable all 4 pool matches together with a conflict of titans towards title holders South Africa. Having by no means gained a quarter-final earlier than, they are going to be hoping to interrupt their World Cup hoodoo towards three-time champions the All Blacks – whom they beat twice final yr throughout a tour of New Zealand.
5pm on Sunday, October 15 in Marseille
After a jittery construct as much as the match, England delivered a strong efficiency within the pool stage, carried by George Ford’s impressed kicking recreation. But they are going to be cautious of the problem from Fiji, the quarter-finals’ shock package deal, who dumped out the Wallabies within the pool stage after clinching a historic warm-up win over England at Twickenham in August.
9pm on Sunday, October 15 in Saint-Denis
Les Bleus sailed by way of the pool stage after a stunning victory over New Zealand within the match’s curtain raiser, although damage to star skipper Antoine Dupont dampened the temper within the residence camp. Standing in the way in which of a maiden World Cup title for France are defending champions South Africa, amongst who’re aiming for a report fourth title.
Read extraRugby World Cup 2023: Fixtures, kick-off instances and outcomes
Originally printed on France24