World Rugby is keeping tabs on a forming typhoon that could hit Japan on Saturday, putting Ireland’s World Cup campaign at risk.
Typhoon Hagibis has formed in the Western Pacific Ocean off the south coast of Japan, with forecasts suggesting it could hit the island of Kyushu this weekend.
Joe Schmidt’s men take on Samoa, where they need a bonus-point victory to seal a place in the quarter-finals.
Ireland assistant coach, Andy Farrell, says World Rugby has a ‘contingency plan’ in place if Typhoon Hagibis hits Fukuoka this weekend.https://t.co/pum4ZCF7Fn
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However, any games called off in the pool stage due to weather problems are registered as scoreless draws. Knockout games would be rescheduled.
That scenario would allow Scotland the chance to leapfrog Ireland into second place, should Gregor Townsend’s men see off both Russia on Wednesday and hosts Japan on Sunday.