This is a contest fit for the final itself with the winner fancied to go all the way.

Donal Lenihan on the three areas Ireland need to master in today’s World Cup quarter-final

Ah, France. A rugby cliche-magnet, if ever there was one.

Featuring a battle of the airlines, X Factor, premature rumours of an international demise, and much more.

The Springboks are used to being the pantomime villains of world rugby. Their bruising style, proclivity for controversy and yes, success, make them a team everybody loves to hate.

World Rugby has cleared Ireland of accusations levelled by a Sunday newspaper that the IRFU applied pressure on the World Cup organisers to stop the Japan v Scotland match being rearranged in the wake of Typhoon Hagibis.

Hammer the hammer.

Maybe it says everything about the way the All Blacks are that the day after they learned their final pool game against Italy had been cancelled, they woke up super early and battered themselves senseless in a training game.

Irish Examiner rugby writers Brendan O'Brien and Simon Lewis look ahead to the World Cup quarter-finals.

Hansen was in typically mischievous mood when he set the scene on Monday.

Bundee Aki will head into a disciplinary hearing in Tokyo today to decide his World Cup fate with the backing of old friends from the Samoa camp as Ireland hoped for clemency for their centre ahead of this weekend’s quarter-finals.

With qualification for the knockout phase secured after an Ireland performance more in keeping with what we have come to expect from this squad, the only outstanding issue surrounded the not insignificant detail as to whom Ireland would meet in their quarter-final in Tokyo next weekend.

It might not have been the route they envisaged but Ireland have reached their initial destination, although the question remains whether this is finally the time to venture into virgin territory.

The game between Scotland and Japan went ahead despite threat of cancellation,with Japan winning 28-21.

Wales secured a World Cup quarter-final clash against France next Sunday – but they ended their Pool D campaign with an unconvincing 35-13 victory over Uruguay.

The IRFU have described claims made by The Times (UK) journalist Stephen Jones as 'scurrilous and untrue'.

After the cancellation of their game against Namibia this morning, the Canadian players headed out to help the host nation's recovery efforts.

“The safety of all involved in Rugby World Cup 2019 is our primary consideration and fans are advised not to travel to Kamaishi or the venue, which will be closed.”

Presumption has already made fools of many of us at this World Cup.

Ireland booked their place in the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals with a comprehensive victory over Samoa.

Typhoon Hagibis already making its presence felt as footage emerges of flooding

England head coach Eddie Jones says Scotland only have themselves to blame if eliminated.

Perspective has never been far away on this trip, wonderful though it has been.

Italy head coach Conor O’Shea has called for “consistency” from World Rugby after Scotland have called for assurances that their crunch Pool A tie with Japan will go ahead.

World Rugby chiefs have been slammed for failing to reschedule matches impacted this weekend by Typhoon Hagibis. Could they learn lessons from other organisations in dealing with such worst-case scenarios?

Joe Schmidt is hoping Ireland’s long lead-in to their final pool game will help his team put in the performance tomorrow that will take them into the World Cup quarter-finals.

A friend texted me Wednesday night indicating France’s final World Cup Pool C game against England was going to fall victim to the typhoon hammering Japan.

Joe Schmidt has urged his players not to be distracted by events elsewhere and focus on deciding their own World Cup fate with a bonus-point win over Samoa tomorrow.

Rugby fans in Japan and around the world bemoaning cancellations due to Typhoon Hagibis.

Ireland’s final World Cup pool game against Samoa on Saturday was given the green light by tournament organisers in Tokyo on Thursday morning but the effects of Typhoon Hagibis could still have far-reaching consequences for Joe Schmidt’s team.

James Harrington Pool C quarter-final qualification was decided last weekend but, with reports of another Rugby World Cup mutiny in the French camp, it’s easy to forget there’s still one key match to play, assuming it does not fall victim to Typhoon Hagibis.

In the perfect world, the one the squad envisioned on the flight out to Japan, Ireland would already have their slot booked in the quarter-final by this stage.

Ireland are carrying on regardless as they wait for guidance from World Rugby on whether Typhoon Hagibis will affect their final pool game against Samoa on Saturday in Fukuoka.

Tadhg Beirne isn’t about to start fretting over Typhoon Hagibis and its progress through the Pacific.