TYPHOON HAGIBIS WREAKS HAVOC BEFORE ITS ARRIVAL

England v France and New Zealand v Italy both cancelled this weekend due to predicted arrival of Hagibis. Safety obviously comes first, but you do feel sorry for fans of Italy, who will not see their team compete against the mighty AB's, and especially France, who, had they beaten England, could still have topped the group and avoided battle hardened Wales in the QF's. Plus, you also have to feel for all those fans from the affected nations who may have splashed out four figures for a £100 ticket, and will only receive a face value refund.

Let's hope Hagibis is through by Sunday, inflicting little damage, so Japan v Scotland game is played. If Ireland win with a bonus point v Samoa on Saturday, and Japan game is cancelled, then as everyone knows by now, Scotland will not qualify for QF's with Japan going through to play their first ever QF (against NZ). Four more years of bitterness and conspiracy theories for the poor Scots, who still feel aggrieved at being cheated out of a RWC 2015 semi final by the Saffa ref. However, if Ireland lose to Samoa, and fail to pick up a losing bonus point, and the other game is cancelled, then the Irish will head home. Phew, exhausting stuff...