Rugby World Cup: Match by match guide to the weekend's action

Pressure: Samoa's fly half Tusi Pisi will be hoping to add to South Africa's misery
Matt Majendie @mattmajendie25 September 2015

Argentina v Georgia
Kingsholm, today, 4.45pm

Argentina captain Agustin Creevy says this clash will “be a big battle in the scrum and the mauls” and the Pumas have made three changes for the challenge. Matias Alemanno, Facundo Isa and Juan Manuel Leguizamon have come in for Guido Petti, Leonardo Senatore and Pablo Matera respectively. Georgia, meanwhile, are unchanged from the side that upset Tonga 17-10 in their opening fixture. As a result, Merab Kvirikashvili extends his remarkable statistic of having played in every one of Georgia’s Rugby World Cup games — with this his 14th.

Italy v Canada
Elland Road, tomorrow, 2.30pm
Both sides are looking for their opening win, with Italy having been outdone 32-10 by France and the Canadians having lost 50-7 to Ireland. But Canada captain Tyler Ardron is looking to the earlier example of Japan for inspiration. He said: “I’m sure if you asked them before the South Africa match, they did their homework. We need to do ours.”

South Africa v Samoa
Villa Park, tomorrow, 4.45pm
This has turned into a must-win game for the Boks after their shock loss to Japan. South Africa coach Heyneke Meyer, officially warned by the national government following the result, has made eight changes from the earlier defeat and remains adamant his side can still win the tournament. Japan coach Eddie Jones says he hopes the match proves akin to a “UFC fight”.

England v Wales
Twickenham, tomorrow, 8PM
Fierce rivals England and Wales meet in a crunch World Cup clash at Twickenham on Saturday that will shape both countries' quarter-final ambitions.
Chris Robshaw calls on the fans to get behind England at Twickenham
Stuart Lancaster prepares for judgment day by narrowing his sights
England vs Wales: Five of their most important meetings

Five crucial England vs Wales matches

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Australia v Uruguay
Elland, Sunday, 2.30pm
It’s a quick turnaround for Vern Cotter’s men, the squad having barely recovered from Wednesday’s 45-10 victory against Japan. But Scotland’s newest recruit, South African-born Josh Strauss, who qualified just four days before kick-off, is adamant that fatigue won’t come into play. With the Boks’ early slip-up, Scotland have their eyes on top spot in their pool.

Ireland v Romania
Wembley, Sunday, 4.45pm
Romania enjoyed an impressive start in their game against France, despite eventually slumping to a 38-11 defeat. And their Welsh coach, Lynn Howells, warns they can pull off an upset against the Irish, despite their opponents having considerably longer to rest between their first two games.

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