England have become the first team to guarantee their place in the Rugby World Cup quarterfinals with a bonus-point victory over Argentina, but there are seven knockout places still up for grabs.

Foxsports.com.au has prepared the scenarios for each pool.

This is what your team needs to continue their Rugby World Cup dream.

POOL A

It’s a three-horse race between hosts Japan, Ireland and Scotland for the two spots in the quarterfinals.

The hosts are in the box seat after a bonus point win over Samoa.

If they beat Scotland next Sunday, they’re through.

Ireland currently sit in second, with a final group match against Samoa next Saturday. If Ireland win, their progression is guaranteed.

If Ireland lose, they could miss out on the finals if Scotland claim victory in their next two matches against Russia and Japan.

Scotland will likely claim a bonus-point win against Russia, and if Ireland win against Samoa, Scotland’s match against Japan shapes up as a win-or-go-home blockbuster.

But Japan has an upper hand — they can lose to Scotland and still knock Scotland out, based on bonus points.

Assuming Scotland beat Russia and claim a bonus point in that match, if Japan claim a bonus point in a loss to Scotland, and deny Scotland a bonus point of their own — the hosts will progress, and the Scots will go home in the most unlucky of circumstances.

In short: If Japan beat Scotland, they’re through.

If Ireland beat Samoa, they’re through. If Scotland beat both Russia and Japan with bonus points potentially crucial, they’re through. As for Samoa and Russia? They’re going home.

POOL B

New Zealand currently sit in third place — who’d have thought? — but they do have a game in hand over the top two sides.

The All Blacks are still favourites to finish in top spot, given they’ve got matches against Namibia (today) and Italy to come.

If they beat Namibia today, the Kiwis will go top, but even a bonus-point win wouldn’t guarantee progression. If they beat both Namibia and Italy next Saturday they’ll move on — and in first place.

For South Africa, a bonus-point win over Canada on Tuesday will see them through.

It’s a tough task for the Italians. Unless Namibia do the unthinkable and beat the All Blacks, or Canada stun the Springboks, Italy must beat the All Blacks in their final game.

And even if Italy do win that game, they’d need to claim a bonus point or two or deny the Kiwis a bonus point if other results go as expected.

Meanwhile, Namibia and Canada are out of the hunt.

In short: If New Zealand beat Namibia and Italy, they’re through. If South Africa beat Canada with a bonus point, they’re through. If Italy beat the All Blacks with bonus points crucial, they’re through.

POOL C

England have confirmed their spot with a perfect record of three bonus point wins from their first three matches.

France are in a confident position going into their final two games. They play Tonga tonight, and a win will guarantee their spot in the next round.

Tonga have an unlikely route to the quarter-finals. If they beat France and then the USA with at least one bonus point, they have a chance.

But they’d need France to lose to England next weekend, and not claim a bonus point in either defeat. It’s unlikely to say the least — but stranger things have happened.

Argentina could mathematically make the next stage with a bonus-point win over the USA. France would need to lose to Tonga and to England, without a bonus point in both matches.

The USA can wave their star-spangled dreams of World Cup glory goodbye.

In short: If France beat Tonga, they’re through. Then they’ll play England with top spot on the line. If France lose to both Tonga and England, either Argentina or Tonga could make it through.

POOL D

It’s a straightforward path for Wales to the next stage — beat Fiji on Wednesday and they’re through.

If they lose, Wales, Fiji, Australia and even Georgia have a chance of progressing. The scenes!

For Australia, the Wallabies only need to beat Georgia in their final game to guarantee their spot in the final eight.

If Wales beat Fiji, the Wallabies will go into their match against Georgia with a spot already wrapped up — which could give Michael Cheika plenty of room to play with team selections.

Uruguay are already knocked out, while Georgia would need to stun Australia with a bonus-point win and have (many) other results fall their way to have a shot.

In short: If Wales beat Fiji, Wales and Australia are through. If they don’t, just about everyone has a chance.

Source : Foxsports.com.au

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