INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
France's players celebrated with the fans at the final whistle2019 Rugby World Cup Pool B France (17) 23 Tries: Vakatawa, Raka Cons:
Ntamack (2) Pens: Ntamack (3)Tonga: (7) 21Tries: Takulua, Hingano, Kapeli Cons: Takulua (2), FositaFrance will play England to decide who
tops Pool C on Saturday after they finally subdued a battling Tonga.
France put in a characteristically fitful display - racing into a
17-point lead before being reeled in, then rallying before a late Tonga try set up a frantic finale.However, Damian Penaud reclaimed Camille
Lopez's restart to end the underdogs' hopes of snatching a win.Pool C's winners will face the runners-up in Pool D in the last
eight.Australia look the most likely to finish second in Pool D, while Wales will top that group if they can negotiate matches against
Uruguay and Georgia.World Cup last-eight permutationsWorld Cup tablesFrance make it three from threeFrance, with a third different half-back
combination in as many matches, started the game at a canter as powerful centre Virimi Vakatawa went over from Alivereti Raka's one-handed
pass.When scrum-half Baptiste Serin spotted a unmarked Raka and the chance to tap and go for a second score, Jacques Brunel's side were 17-0
up after 35 minutes.But, justas in their opening match against Argentina - when they allowed the Pumas back in the match from 20-3 down -
France's concentration wavered.Newcastle's Sonatane Takulua dived over from close range just before the break as Tonga's forwards wrestled
their way into the ascendancy.France full-back Maxime Medard paid the price for allowing the ball to bounce early in the second half as
Malietoa Hingano pounced to power over.
With their advantage shaved down to three points, the sense that a repeat of Tonga's upset victory
in the 2011 pool stages may be brewing stung France back into life.They tightened up their play and fly-half Romain Ntamack landed two
penalty goals to put his side 23-14 in front.Penaud dived over to seemingly put the game beyond doubt, but that was to be more drama as
referee Nic Berry - belatedly, but correctly - ruled out that score for a knock-on by Medard, and then Tonga flanker Zane Kapeli claimed a
cross-field kick and dotted down.
Replacement Latiume Fosita slotted the conversion putting Tonga within two points as they prepared to
receive kick-off with less than a minute to go.But Penaud tapped the kick-off back to a team-mate and France booted into touch to end the
game.TeamsFrance: Medard; Penaud, Vakatawa, Guitoune, Raka; Ntamack, Serin; Poirot, Chat, Slimani, Gabrillagues, Vahaamahina, Lauret,
Ollivon, Alldritt.Replacements: Guirado, Baille, Setiano, Le Roux, Camara, Dupont, Lopez, Barassi.Tonga: Veainu, Vuna, Hingano, Piutau,
Halaifonua; Faiva, Takulua; Fisi'ihoi, Ngauamo, Fia; Lousi, Fifita, Kalamafoni, Kapeli, Vaipulu.Replacements: Sakalia, Fifita, Halanukonuka,
Mafi, Manu, Fukofuka, Fosita, Pakalani.
The permutations for England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland1 hour agoFrom the sectionRugby UnionShare
this pageScotland's Stuart McInally, England's Owen Farrell, Wales' Alun Wyn Jones and Ireland's Rory BestHome nations' captains: Scotland's
Stuart McInally, England's Owen Farrell, Wales' Alun Wyn Jones and Ireland's Rory BestThe battle for places in the World Cup knockout stages
is hotting up.
England booked their place in the last eight by beating Argentina, Wales can secure their spot on Wednesday and there are
big games coming up for Scotland and Ireland.
So what are the permutations in each pool? BBC Sport takes a closer look.
What are the
rules?Teams receive four points for a win and two for a draw
A bonus point is awarded for scoring four tries or for a defeat by seven points or fewer.
The winner and runner-up in each pool qualify for
the quarter-finals.
If two teams are tied at the end of the group stage then the winner of the match between the two teams will be ranked
higher.
If two or more teams are tied then points difference will be used to separate them with various other eliminators used if points
differences are equal.
For full rules check out the official Rugby World Cup websitePool APool AScotland v Russia (9 October): Scotland
must win on Wednesday to move closer to Ireland and Japan, but Gregor Townsend's side will not be happy with anything other than a
bonus-point victory.
Ireland v Samoa (12 October): Ireland will qualify for the last eight with a bonus-point victory, given Scotland could
not match the 16 points they would then have
Realistically, given Ireland's points difference, victory without a bonus point would also secure a quarter-final spot.
In the case of
Japan, Scotland and Ireland finishing on the same number of points, the quarter-final places would be decided on points difference
The teams' head-to-head record is the initial tie-breaker, however each of Japan, Ireland and Scotland team would have won one and lost one
of their matches against the other two.
Typhoon Mitag could pass through central and northern Japan this week and in the unlikely event the
match in Fukuoka is cancelled it will end in a no-score draw, with World Rugby's tournament rules allocating both sides two points.
Japan v
Scotland (13 October): Japan moved back to the top of the table with victory over Samoa and a win against Scotland would put them through to
their first World Cup quarter-final.
Scotland would have to beat the Brave Blossoms to progress, with bonus points possibly proving
decisive.
If Scotland win and both sides finish on the same points, Gregor Townsend's side would progress by virtue of winning Sunday's
match.
Pool BPool BSouth Africa v Canada (8 October): South Africa can confirm their progression with a bonus-point victory over Canada on
Tuesday.
New Zealand v Italy (12 October): New Zealand are not yet mathematically through to the knockout stages, despite topping the
group.
Unless Canada shock the Springboks, Italy would have to beat the All Blacks in their final game to progress, and even that may not
be enough if Steve Hansen's men claimed bonus points.
Pool CPool C tableFrance v Tonga (6 October): France will qualify for the next round
by beating Tonga on Sunday
Tonga have to win both of their remaining games to stand any chance of progressing.
England v France (12 October): England sealed their
qualification to the last eight with victory over Argentina - and will look to secure top spot in the group next Saturday.
Other
fixtures:
Argentina v United States (9 October)United States v Tonga (13 October)Pool DPool DWales v Fiji (9 October): For Wales, it's
Beat Fiji on Wednesday and they seal their progress to the next round
Defeat for Wales would see Fiji move above them.
That would leave Wales, Fiji, Australia, and theoretically Georgia with the chance to
reach the knockout stage with the last two fixtures to be played.
Australia v Georgia (11 October): Australia will progress if Wales beat
Fiji on Wednesday, or if the Wallabies win their final pool game against Georgia.
Remaining fixtures:
Wales v Uruguay (13 October)Knockout
stages - who plays who?Rugby World Cup quarter-finals19 October Winner Pool C v Runner-up Pool DWinner Pool B v Runner-up Pool A20 October
Winner Pool D v Runner-up Pool CWinner Pool A v Runner-up Pool BRugby World Cup semi-finals26 October Winner QF1 v Winner QF227 October
