VIDEO: Increased spotlight will pay off for Ireland

There may be a full round of pool games to go over the course of the next seven days but already five teams, including Ireland, have booked a safe passage to the knockout phase of the Rugby World Cup.

That, coupled with the exit of hosts England, may not be ideal from the perspective of the organisers, but the quality of fare on offer on the pitch is such that it doesn’t impact on the success of the tournament to date in any way.

Along with Joe Schmidt’s squad, New Zealand, Wales, Australia and France have all booked safe passage while Argentina are all but there with Tonga requiring a bonus point win over New Zealand to usurp them.