Wales have booked their ticket in the World Cup quarter-finals after an impressive 40-6 win over Australia, becoming the first side to secure a spot in the last eight of the tournament.
Warren Gatland’s side outclassed the Wallabies in Lyon and gave fans plenty to smile about after what has been a turbulent year in Welsh rugby. Some pundits had written off Wales as quarter-finalists prior to the tournament after a dismal Six Nations, but wins over Fiji, Portugal and then Eddie Jones’ men saw them qualify with a game to spare.
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Of course, that clash against Georgia is the next point of focus for Gatland’s squad, but it’s hard not to look ahead to the knockout rounds now that Wales’ place there has been confirmed. To get the latest rugby news sent straight to your inbox, sign up to WalesOnline’s daily rugby newsletter here.
There is still plenty of rugby to be played in the pool stages, with some teams still yet to face their toughest tasks, with some groups set to go down to the wire. Even Wales’ position at the top of their pool is not confirmed, as they could still finish second.
But knowing what we know so far, who is likely to join Gatland’s side in the quarter-finals and when and where will they be happening? Here’s everything you need to know.
Expected Rugby World Cup quarter-finals
QF1: Wales v Argentina
Wales have secured their place in the last eight and will top Pool C with victory over Georgia in a fortnight’s time. If they make sure of that, then they will face the runner-up of Pool D in the first quarter-final of the competition.
England look set to win that group, with Samoa, Japan and Argentina all battling it out for second place. However, while all three have a chance of finishing runner-up, Wales’ most likely opponent is the Pumas, who will be expected to beat Japan and Chile in their final two games.
The first quarter-final will take place in Marseille on Saturday, October 14 with kick-off at 4pm UK time. The winner will play the winner of QF2 in the semi-finals.
QF 2: Ireland v New Zealand
Ireland look set to finish top of Pool B after battling to a 13-8 win over South Africa on Saturday night. While the Springboks and Scotland could still pip them to the post, Andy Farrell’s men are unbeaten so far in the competition and will likely be too strong for the Scots in their final group game, which should secure them top spot in Pool B.
They will play the runners-up of Pool A, which looks likely to be New Zealand. The All Blacks are expected to miss out on top spot in the group after losing to hosts France on the opening night of the competition, but with Italy and Uruguay left to play, we should see them in the last eight again.
The second quarter-final will take place in Paris on Saturday, October 14 with kick-off at 8pm UK time. The winner will play the winner of QF1 in the semi-finals.
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QF3: England v Fiji
England will more than likely win Pool D after they followed up their victories over Argentina and Japan with a 71-0 mauling of World Cup debutants Chile on Saturday to put them nine points clear at the top.
Meanwhile, with Wales expected to go through as champions and Australia on the brink of a first-ever pool stage exit, Fiji are the likely runners-up in Pool C, with only Georgia and Portugal left for the Pacific Islanders to play. That means that a rematch of last month’s historic Fijian win at Twickenham is on the cards.
The third quarter-final will take place in Marseille on Sunday, October 15 with kick-off at 4pm UK time. The winner will play the winner of QF4 in the semi-finals.
QF4: France v South Africa
Tournament hosts France are unbeaten and are unlikely to be downed by Italy in their final group stage match, meaning they are the heavy favourites to top Pool A. The Springboks, meanwhile, will face competition from Scotland for second place in Pool B but should secure the runner-up spot unless they suffer a major slip-up against Tonga in their last game.
The fourth quarter-final will take place in Paris on Sunday, October 15 with kick-off at 8pm UK time. The winner will play the winner of QF3 in the semi-finals.