RWC2015 - Who needs to do what?

Barring England's unexpected exit from their own Rugby World Cup in what was the 'Group of Death', Japan winning friends everywhere following their early mugging of South Africa and the odd spark by some of the lower tier rugby nations, the potential quarter-final match-up's will be pretty much in line with the long range pre-tournament predictions.

Despite the bulk of the usual suspects all being bound for the last eight and a few still remaining unbeaten on route, there is still a back door ajar for a few hopefuls who are determined to prolong their stay in England.

Here is a brief look at what needs to happen this weekend as we approach the business end of world rugby's global showpiece:

POOL A

Australia and Wales have already qualified for the last eight, but still have to settle the matter of who wins the pool when the two unbeaten teams clash in London on Saturday (17h15 SA time).

The losing team in this intriguing northern-southern hemisphere showdown will earn a date with South Africa (Pool B winners) in the quarter-finals.

England, Fiji and Uruguay will pack their bags on Sunday. England still have to conclude their programme against Uruguay in 

Manchester on Saturday (21h00) which should guarantee them third spot, with Fiji fourth and Uruguay taking the wooden spoon.

POOL B

Despite that initial wobble against Japan, South Africa have rebounded to end top of Pool B and will keep a keen eye on the outcome of the Pool A decider between Wales and Australia on Saturday.

They are pencilled in to face the Pool A runners-up in the quarters.

Scotland still have work to do in order to advance and Saturday afternoon's clash against Samoa in Newcastle is a 'mini-final' for them. Victory over the tough Samoans, however, guarantees them a ticket.

Japan can still find their way into the back door with a victory over the USA in their last Pool match on Sunday, providing the Bravehearts slip to an unlikely defeat.

Samoa and USA's race is run.

POOL C

Rarely extended thus far, New Zealand have cruised into the quarter-finals with a match to spare.

That is unlikely to change when they wrap up their pool commitments against Tonga in Newcastle on Friday.

Argentina look set to join the All Blacks in the last eight, with what seems like a pretty routine assignment against Namibia in Leicester on Sunday.

Argentina can still qualify as Pool winners, but only if New Zealand succumb to Tonga in what would undoubtedly eclipse

Japan's victory over the Boks as arguably the biggest upset in Rugby World Cup history.

All being said, it would seem that Georgia, Namibia and Tonga are homeward bound.

Ireland and France have both already qualified for the quarter-finals.

Italy, Canada and Romania are all out.

Much like Pool A, however, both Ireland and France are unbeaten in group play and Sunday's eagerly anticipated clash between the two Six Nations contenders in Cardiff will determine which country advances as Pool winners.

In an interesting sideshow, Romania can still finish a very credible third in the pool with a victory over Italy and automatic qualification for the 2019 

Rugby World Cup.

Likeliest Quarter-Final match-ups:

Australia/Wales vs South Africa

Australia/Wales vs Scotland

New Zealand vs Ireland/France

Argentina vs Ireland/France