Pool deciders under threat from one of most violent super typhoons in recent history
England v
France and
Japan v
Scotland could be affectedFull story: matches at risk as Super Typhoon Hagibis escalates 3.47am BST
Our rugby union correspondent Gerard Meagher explains what is going on and what it might mean for the tournament:
World Rugby may be forced into taking the unprecedented step of cancelling Saturday’s Pool C match between England and France as well as Scotland’s crucial fixture with Japan 24 hours later as the category five super typhoon heads for Yokohama. Both matches were among the most in-demand when tickets went on sale.
Any games cancelled due to weather problems are registered as scoreless draws, with both sides awarded two points. While England and France have already qualified for the quarter-finals, it could have huge consequences for Scotland’s Pool A game with the hosts, which also takes place at Yokohama’s 72,000-seater stadium. If that match is cancelled Scotland would be eliminated, assuming
Ireland beat Samoa on Saturday. 3.38am BST