"Final Pool Round" - Top 5 Rugby World Cup Matches to Watch this Weekend

Make a Greene King pub your Rugby Rendezvous. Watch the big games on the big screens they deserve. Enjoy having great food and drink on tap. Take your pick of juicy match-ups with all the home nations, global giants, and 15-a-side superstars ready to ruck.

There is not much longer to wait, as the weekend's action begins tonight. New Zealand are looking to secure their place in the final eight, as they take on Uruguay this evening in Lyon (20:00 KO UK time). The All Blacks recorded an emphatic 96-17 win over Italy last time out, and want more of the same against the South Americans, in what is a milestone day for second row Sam Whitelock.

The long-serving All Black will run out for his 150th cap, and become the record appearance holder for his country. He will surpass two-time Rugby World Cup winning captain Richie McCaw to the mantle, in an incredible accomplishment. Whitelock would then become the second-most capped international rugby player of all time, behind Alun Wyn Jones' combined Wales and British & Irish Lions record of 170.

Whitelock will also surpass McCaw and legendary England prop Jason Leonard, by running out for a record 23rd Rugby World Cup match. An expected All Blacks win over Uruguay will mark Whitelock's 21st victory at the competition, another record he takes from his former captain McCaw. An important day for an iconic All Black, Whitelock wants a memorable victory on the road to becoming the first player ever to win three Rugby World Cups.

Friday evening's fixture presents a decisive match in Pool A, as France and Italy meet with a spot in the Rugby World Cup knock-out stages on the line. France certainly have the statistical advantage going into this clash, but a bonus point win for the Azzurri would draw them level with Les Bleus in the pool (15 points each). Italy would then most likely progress out the pool alongside New Zealand due to the 'Head to Head' rule, if the All Blacks record an expected bonus point win of their own, against Uruguay.

Italy's hopes of upsetting the hosts by such a deficit is certainly a long-shot, given how soundly they were beaten by New Zealand just a week ago. However, France's ranks have been weakened in the absence of Antoine Dupont, with the captain sidelined with a fractured cheek bone. France Head Coach Fabien Galthie has Maxime Lucu to start at scrum half, and also brings back Gregory Alldritt into the back row.

The latest meeting between Italy and France came in the 2023 Six Nations, and the Italians were moments away from pulling off a shocking upset. An enticing encounter was far from the one-way French traffic many expected, with Galthie's side scraping out of Rome with just a 29-24 win. Kieran Crowley will fancy his side's chances as Italy line up at full strength, against whilst France deal with the injury absences of Dupont, fly-half Romain Ntamack and lock Paul Willemse.

In Dupont's absence, France's danger-man is certainly Damian Penaud. The winger is on a six-game scoring streak, which is the best form of his career. The Bordeaux winger leads the way at the 2023 Rugby World Cup with 12 tries, and has worked his way to become France's third best try scorer of all-time, behind Serge Blanco and Vincent Clerc.

15. Thomas Ramos 14. Damian Penaud 13. Gael Fickou 12. Jonathan Danty 11. Louis Bielle-Biarrey 10. Matthieu Jalibert 9. Maxime Lucu 1. Cyril Baille 2. Peato Mauvaka 3. Uini Antoinio 4. Cameron Woki 5. Thibaud Flament 6. Anthony Jelonch 7. Charles Ollivon (C) 8. Gregory Alldritt

16. Pierre Bourgarit 17. Reda Wardi 18. Dorian Aldegheri 19. Romain Taofifenua 20. Francois Cros 21. Baptiste Couilloud 22. Yoram Moefana 23. Melvyn Jaminet

15. Ange Capuozzo 14. Pierre Bruno 13. Juan Ignacio Brex 12. Paolo Garbisi 11. Montanna Ioane 10. Tommaso Allan 9. Stephen Varney 1. Simone Ferrari 2. Hame Faiva 3. Pietro Ceccarelli 4. Niccolo Cannone 5. Federico Ruzza 6. Sebastian Negri 7. Michele Lamaro (C) 8. Lorenzo Cannone

16. Marco Manfredi 17. Federico Zani 18. Marco Riccioni 19. David Sisi 20. Manuel Zuliani 21. Alessandro Fusco 22. Luca Morisi 23. Lorenzo Pani

England fans could not have dreamt up a better scenario coming into the Rugby World Cup. Steve Borthwick's men have found their form after an underwhelming Six Nations and Summer Series, and hit top gear when it mattered the most. England have already qualified for the knock-out stages as Pool D Winners, and they will take on either Wales, Fiji or Australia in the quarter-finals.

England and Samoa are set to meet for the ninth time in their history, with England taking the win in each of the previous eight meetings. However, a similar scenario applied when England last took on a Pacific Island nation, before Fiji recorded their first-ever win over England back in August. Complacency could cost England against Samoa, with Borthwick expected to shuffle the deck and allow his World Cup fringe players a chance to take centre stage.

With a spot in the quarter-finals already achieved, Borthwick could well alter his team selection, and give the likes of Harlequins hooker Jack Walker a first Rugby World Cup start. These players will be chomping at the bit to impress their Head Coach ahead of the knock-out stages, and stake their claim for a place in the match-day 23 when England enter the latter rounds of the competition.

England will also be looking to break a long standing pool stage record this weekend, as they have now won seven of their last Rugby World Cup pool matches. However, they have never won eight consecutive pool stage matches, and will want to make history in Lille. England come into the match off the back of their second biggest Rugby World Cup winning margin, following the 71-0 onslaught win over Chile.

Despite the nation being renowned for fast-flowing flair in attack, Samoa's major strengths have been at the set piece. The South Sea Islanders have scored more tries from rolling mauls (3), and made more meters per maul (5.3m) in the set-piece than any other team at the competition. This will certainly be an enticing encounter, with England looking to roll the dice to see out the pool stages in style.

3. Pool B Ireland vs Scotland - 20:00 KO, Saint-Denis

All hope is not lost for Scotland, with a glimpse of the Rugby World Cup knock-out stages still visible over the Irish wall. Gregor Townsend's side must beat Ireland if they want to progress, and deny Andy Farrell's men a bonus point. This will see South Africa then top the pool, with Scotland progressing through in second on the 'head-to-head' rule. However, if Ireland successfully obtain a bonus point and Scotland do not, Ireland will then finish at the top of the pool, with the Springboks in second.

The task at hand is easier for Ireland, who need two points from the match to qualify for the quarter-finals. Fortune certainly favours Farrell's side, who have rightfully earned their advantageous position with their 13-8 victory over South Africa a fortnight ago. The Springboks have played all four of their matches, and finished their pool stage campaign with a 49-18 win over Tonga last weekend. Scotland hit top gear in their dominant display against Romania, with the 84-0 thrashing being the heaviest defeat for the Oaks in Pool B.

Ireland are on a hot run of form against Scotland, with a win this weekend equalling their all-time best run of victories. Ireland have won their last eight consecutive matches against the Scots, with their all-time record set at nine wins in a row. This run of victories took place on either side of the Second World War, beginning in 1939, and running until 1954. The two side's share a 1-1 record at Rugby World Cups, with this decisive match completing a trio that includes Scotland's 24-15 win at Murrayfield in 1991, and Ireland's 27-3 win in Japan four years ago.

Ireland are undoubtedly in generational form. The men from the Emerald Isle have won their last 16 consecutive test matches, their best record ever. This run of victories dates back to Ireland's 2022 Summer Tour of New Zealand, when the All Blacks secured a 42-19 win in the first test match, before Ireland went on to win the series 2-1.

Whenever Scotland have lost their first pool stage match at the Rugby World Cup (as they did this year against South Africa) they have gone on to win their final two matches in the pools. However, Ireland certainly present a tougher obstacle than previous pool stage closers, with the odds firmly stacked against Townsend's men this weekend.

The all-important fixture in Pool D this weekend, sees Japan take on Argentina with the winner progressing to the quarter-finals. The stakes don't come any bigger for the two nations, and amongst all of the convoluted Rugby World Cup permutations it could not be any clearer... win and go through, loose and go home.

Both sides are level on points, having each recorded wins over Samoa and Chile. Los Pumas and the Brave Blossoms were also both beaten by England, with a clear hierarchy established in the lay-out of Pool D. If the match was to end in a well-contested draw, the quarter-final spot will be decided as follows (calculators at the ready):

If both teams get try-scoring bonus points in the draw, Argentina will go through on points difference. If just Japan get a try-scoring bonus point and Argentina do not, then Japan will go through. If neither side get a try-scoring bonus points in a drawn match, Argentina will go through, unless Samoa beat England by 29 points or more. Then Samoa will progress through in second place.

Let's hope that this match isn't decided by terms and conditions, and that a clear winner is decided on the pitch this Sunday. Los Pumas have the better record in this fixture, having won their past five out of six matches against Japan. Argentina's currently hold a three-match winning streak over the men from the Far East, however, this meeting will be the first since 2016.

The last time these two sides collided Argentina racked up a 54-20 win, with his margin of victory standing as the Pumas' best ever against Japan. The two sides have met just once before at the Rugby World Cup, with Argentina again taking the victory 33-12, in the 1999 tournament. Japan's best weapon comes from gain-line break percentage (57.4%). The Brave Blossoms form over their opposition's line is the second best out of any side in the competition, only behind New Zealand (67.2%).

Wales fans will be sure to tune into this match, as they will likely take on the winner in the knock-out stages. Should Warren Gatland's side top Pool C with a win over Georgia, then Wales will take on the winner of Sunday's midday kick-off. This one is the hardest match to predict of the weekend, and it could really go either way.

There is no denying the Rugby World Cup talents of Japan, and their ability to pull off big wins against tier one opponents. However, we favour Argentina, who entered the tournament in better form with a win over Australia. Los Pumas have sharpened their claws on Chile and Samoa, with a spot in the quarter-finals now well in their grasp.

5. Pool C: Fiji vs Portugal - 20:00 KO, Toulouse

The final match of the 2023 Rugby World Cup pool stages, Fiji are the deciders of their own destiny in this Sunday's closing match. The Pacific Islanders need just one point from their match against Portugal to progress into the quarter-finals, and send Eddie Jones' Australia out at the pool stages for what is arguably the shock of the tournament so far. The Wallabies have played all their pool stage matches, and nervously sit just one point ahead of Fiji, in second in Pool C.

After Simon Raiwalui's side recorded a breath-taking 22-15 upset win over the Wallabies, they were presented with the task of accruing a total of five points in two matches. Fiji's latest endeavours saw them run out a 17-12 win over Georgia, and gained four pool stage points in the process. They could not obtain the illusive bonus point, with Wallabies fans praying that Portugal stop the Flying Fijians from taking off in Toulouse.

Fiji entered the Rugby World Cup in inspired form, with a clean sweep in the 2023 Pacific Nations Cup and a first-ever victory over England, wrapping up their preparations in style. Despite losing their talismanic fly half Caleb Muntz to injury, Fiji have pressed on to be this year's Rugby World Cup dark horses. Fiji and Portugal meet for just the third time in their history, with the Pacific Islanders taking the two previous wins.

Portugal have never won a match at the Rugby World Cup, with this being their second appearance at the competition. The Wolves embarked on their maiden voyage in 2007, yet have gone one better than they did some 16 years ago. Portugal avoided defeat for the first time, in their 18-18 draw against Georgia a fortnight ago, and like the progressing rugby nations of Chile, Uruguay and Namibia, Portuguese rugby is certainly on the up. 'Os Lobos' could well be a re-occurring face at the competition in years to come.