World number one Ireland withstood the pressure at the Rugby World Cup and confidently secured their ticket to the quarter-finals.
The superior Six Nations winner prevailed in the explosive duel against Scotland 36:14 (26:0) and thus moved into the knockout round as group leader ahead of defending champions South Africa. The Scots have to travel home after the preliminary round.
This means that the team around captain Johnny Sexton can continue to dream of Ireland’s first World Cup title. In the quarter-finals on October 14th at the Stade de France in Paris, the duel with the strong All Blacks from New Zealand awaits. The South Africans will face hosts and co-favorites France at the same place 24 hours later.
Wales had already secured top position in Group C with a clear 43:19 (17:7) win against Georgia. In the next round, the world number seven will face Argentina or Japan.
Neighbors England also celebrated their fourth win in their fourth game with a narrow 18:17 (8:14) win against Samoa. Captain Owen Farrell became his country’s all-time top scorer with 1,186 points. The 2003 world champion will play against Fiji or Australia in the first knockout round.