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World Rugby is monitoring a typhoon that could hit Japan on Saturday and stop Ireland ‘s World Cup campaign in its tracks.
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.
Ireland face Samoa in the Kyushu city of Fukuoka on Saturday, where Joe Schmidt’s men need a bonus-point victory to seal a place in the quarter-finals.
Any games cancelled at the World Cup due to weather problems are registered as scoreless draws.
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.
Rugby World Cup 2019 best picturesShow all 45 1 /45Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 The tournament takes place in Japan
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Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 France's players attends a training session at the Fuji Hokuroku Park
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Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 Japanese children perform the Haka
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Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 Ireland's Rhys Ruddock attends a gym training session
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Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 Japan's wing Kotaro Matsushima is tackled by Russia's centre Vladimir Ostroushko
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Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 Former New Zealand international Richie McCaw holds the Rugby World Cup trophy during the tournament's opening ceremony
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Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 Japan fans cheer on their team
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Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 An Argentina fan wearing a mask with an image of football player Lionel Messi
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Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 France supporters kiss outside the Tokyo Stadium
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Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 A France supporter dressed as Obelix
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Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 A France fan reacts
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Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 Australia's hooker Silatolu Latu is tackled
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Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 A France fan reacts
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Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 A France fan waits
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Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 Argentina's centre Jeronimo de la Fuente (C) is tackled by France's wing Yoann Huget
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Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 New Zealand's players perform the Haka
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Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 New Zealand's players perform the Haka
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Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 Japan's players bow
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Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 New Zealand's scrum-half TJ Perenara (L) and full back Ben Smith interact with fans
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Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 Fans await the start of a game
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Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 Ireland's wing Jacob Stockdale (2nd R) runs with the ball
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Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 England's centre Manu Tuilagi scores a try
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Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 England supporters attend a match
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Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 A dog with ears coloured in pink
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Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 A Wales supporters laughs outside the City of Toyota Stadium
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Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 A US fan wears shows his support for the Eagles against England.
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Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 Argentina vs Tonga takes places at the picturesque Hanazono Stadium.
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Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 An Argentina supporter celebrates the victory over Tonga.
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Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 Isileli Nakajima celebrates after Japan beat Ireland in one of the great World Cup upsets.
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Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019
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Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 The Japan team celebrate following the famous win over Ireland.
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Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 The Tokyo Stadium was lit up by fireworks following Japan's win in the capital.
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Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 Japanese fans celebrate in the Tokyo fans park.
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Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 All across the country, Japan fans were jubilant after the incredible win.
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Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 Workers clear the stadium after the match in Tokyo.
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Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 Namibia fans show their support ahead of kick-off against South Africa.
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Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 The setting sun cuts through clouds
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Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 Argentina's full back Joaquin Tuculet celebrates
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Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 Scotland fans await the start
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Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 A US supporter waves the US flag
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Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 France's flanker Charles Ollivon catches the ball
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Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 A France supporter poses with a woman dressed as a geisha
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Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 New Zealand's scrum-half TJ Perenara scores a try
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Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 Argentina supporters
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Rugby World Cup 2019 best pictures Rugby World Cup 2019 Tournament director Alan Gilpin speaks to the media
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Previous predictions of typhoons hitting Japan and disrupting the tournament have so far proved wide of the mark.
Typhoon Mitag had threatened France’s clash with the USA in Fukuoka last week, but the match was completed without issue.
World Rugby is monitoring the situation and will issue further updates as the situation develops.
“We are currently monitoring the development of a typhoon off the south coast of Japan in partnership with our weather information experts,” said a World Rugby spokesman.
“It is still too early to determine what, if any, impact there will be on match or training activities.”
PA
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