Rugby World Cup: Ireland and Wales can reach semi-finals and France in ‘mutiny’

The Rugby World Cup quarter finals take place in the UK this weekend as Ireland and Wales look to advance to the final four.

On Saturday Wales take on South Africa in Twickenham and will need a colossal performance to beat the Springboks after losing so many of their key players to injury. Warren Gatland’s men can expect another physical encounter in a match where Dan Biggar’s boot could be the difference.

Later in the day New Zealand and France face off in the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. A French newspaper has reported a ‘discreet’ rebellion against coach Phillipe Saint Andre as Les Bleus prepare to line out against the world champions. The All Blacks will want to banish the ghosts of 2007 when France beat them in the quarters.

On Sunday Ireland will be looking for a win against Argentina, also in the Millennium stadium. Ireland will be without talismanic captain Paul O’Connell for the clash and playmaker Jonny Sexton has not yet been declared fit after the bruising French encounter last week.

The Pumas will be looking to their goal kicker Nicolas Sanchez and captain Agustin Creevy in the much anticipated encounter with Ireland.

The final game is in Twickenham where Australia and Scotland round out the weekend’s action. The Wallabies are expected to have enough for the Scottish side with world class players like Matt Giteau and David Pocock gunning to put Australia into the semi-finals.