The Rugby World Cup is coming down to the business end of the pool stages where the route to the quarter-finals starts becoming a lot clearer.
We take a look at the likely scenarios to unfold over the final week and those in the box seat to make the knockout phase.
POOL A
Hosts Japan have taken control of this group with victory over Samoa at the Toyota Stadium on Saturday.
They secured a bonus point 38-19 win in the 84th minute that sees them go past Ireland into top spot.
The five-point haul means they can now potentially go through even if they lose to Scotland as long as they pick up a losing bonus point in that match and Scotland don't beat them with a bonus point by scoring four tries or more. That scenario is based on the assumption Scotland will get a bonus point win over Russia prior to facing Japan.
Defeat for the Samoans makes it a three-horse race between the Irish, Scots and Japanese for the two quarter-final berths.
This pool is destined to go right down to the wire with Ireland’s final match coming against Samoa on October 12. If Joe Schmidt’s side lost that one, the following day Japan play Scotland, with the possibility both could go through.
But the likelihood is Scotland may well now need 10 points from their games against Lyn Jones’ Russia and the Brave Blossoms to make the last eight.
Remaining fixtures: October 9: Scotland v Russia, October 12: Ireland v Samoa, October 13: Japan v Scotland
POOL B
The most straightforward of groups to fathom out ever since the draw was made in Kyoto back on May 10, 2017.
Italy may be level on points with the Springboks and one in front of the All Blacks at present, but it won’t last as New Zealand’s final two matches are against the Azzurri and Namibia.
The expected 10-point haul would see Steve Hansen’s men go through as pool winners with South Africa, who play Canada in their final match next Tuesday being runners-up.
Remaining fixtures: October 6: New Zealand v Namibia, October 8: South Africa v Canada, October 12: New Zealand v Italy, October 13: Namibia v Canada
POOL C
England's 39-10 win over Argentina means they are in the quarter-finals
Argentina still have a faint hope of qualifying but must hope France lose to Tonga and England in their final matches.
In all likelihood though, it will be England and France who qualify, with their showdown match next Saturday deciding who comes top.
Remaining fixtures: October 6: France v Tonga, October 9: Argentina v USA, October 12: England v France, October 13: USA v Tonga
POOL D
Wales are already 1/100 with the bookies to go through as group winners after coming through their behemoth of a battle with Australia last weekend.
The Wallabies took a further step in joining them in the last eight when they beat Uruguay 45-10 on Saturday.
For Wales to go through as group winners they just need wins over Fiji and Uruguay in the final two matches.
Even a defeat to Fiji would have little chance of denying Warren Gatland’s side a spot in the last eight.
But it would seriously dent their chances of going though as pool winners and deny them a favourable route in the knockout stages.
Remaining fixtures: Oct 9: 10.45am, Wales v Fiji; Oct 11: 11.15am, Australia v Georgia; Oct 13: 9.15am, Wales v Uruguay.
