Rugby World Cup 2023: Guide to the quarter-final fixtures

After a full month of action that kicked off on September 8 with France's dazzling defeat of New Zealand, the first phase of the Rugby World Cup drew to a close on Sunday in Toulouse, where Fiji set up a knockout clash with England despite slumping to a historic defeat against Portugal.

In the quarter-finals' two standout fixtures, world number one Ireland will take on the All Blacks and hosts France will face off with title holders South Africa. The opening quarter-final will see Wales take on the Pumas of Argentina, who edged out Japan in a decisive contest earlier on Sunday.

5pm on Saturday, October 14 in Marseille

Wales entered the World Cup with expectations low on the back of a disappointing fifth-place finish at the Six Nations. Having topped Group C ahead of the impressive Fijians, they will now fancy their chances against an Argentinian squad that was soundly beaten by England and before holding off Japan to reach the knockout stage.

9pm on Saturday, October 14 in Saint-Denis

Ireland have lived up to their world number one ranking, winning all four pool matches including a clash of titans against title holders South Africa. Having never won a quarter-final before, they will be hoping to break their World Cup hoodoo against three-time champions the All Blacks – whom they beat twice last year during a tour of New Zealand.

5pm on Sunday, October 15 in Marseille

After a jittery build up to the tournament, England delivered a solid performance in the pool stage, carried by George Ford’s inspired kicking game. But they will be wary of the challenge from Fiji, the quarter-finals’ surprise package, who dumped out the Wallabies in the pool stage after clinching a historic warm-up win over England at Twickenham in