Permutations ahead of final pool matches at the Rugby World Cup

MARSEILLE, France : The final pool stage matches of the Rugby World Cup will be played between Thursday and Sunday with six of the eight quarter-final places still up for grabs in France.

Only England and Wales have sealed a spot in the knockout rounds, meaning it is all to play for across the four groups.

Head-to-head records will separate teams who are level on points in the first instance, while if three sides finish even then points difference is used to select the top team, before it reverts to head-to-head for the two remaining nations.

We look at the permutations across the pools.

POOL A

France 13 points, New Zealand 10, Italy 10, Uruguay 5, Namibia 0

It is possible the top three teams finish level, which would favour New Zealand to go through on points difference and Italy to advance past France on head-to-head.

Any sort of win for Italy over France should be enough, unless the latter pick up two bonus points (one for losing by seven points and the other for scoring four tries).

The most likely scenario is New Zealand beat Uruguay on Thursday and finish second, with France defeating Italy a day later to top the pool. A draw would also be good enough for the hosts.

POOL B

South Africa 15 points, Ireland 14, Scotland 10, Tonga 0, Romania 0

If Scotland beat Ireland by 21 points or more in their final fixture in Paris on Saturday, and the Irish earn a bonus-point, then those two will advance and knock out defending champions South Africa, who have played all their fixtures.

But if Ireland get two points from the game, they will advance as group winners with the Springboks in second.

A win by eight points or more with no Irish bonus point will see Scotland go through on head-to-head and Andy Farrell’s world number one side