After four thrilling rounds of pool games, the quarter-final lineups for the 2023 Rugby World Cup are now known, and this weekend sees four massive clashes.
We look at each quarter-final below as eight nations battle for a spot in the last four of the tournament.
Wales vs Argentina
Wales headed into the tournament with low expectations on the back of a poor Six Nations, but they excelled in the pool stages, winning all four matches, including against Fiji and Australia.
However, they will be without Toby Faletau for their quarter-final clash with Argentina at the Stade de Marseille, with the number eight out of the World Cup after breaking his arm against Georgia.
Still, Wales will fancy their chances of reaching another World Cup semi-final by seeing off the Pumas.
Argentina finished runner-up in Pool D with three wins and a disappointing loss to England despite playing almost the whole match with a one-man advantage.
Wales are the favourites with the bookmakers for this one, but if the Pumas play to their full potential, this one could go either way.
Ireland vs New Zealand
All eyes will be on the Stade de France on Saturday evening when Ireland, the number one ranked team in the world, take on three-time Rugby World Cup winners New Zealand.
Ireland have been impressive so far, topping Pool B with a perfect four-from-four record, including victories over South Africa and Scotland.
They are on a 17-match unbeaten record and will be confident of negotiating the quarter-finals of the World Cup for the first time in their history.
In their way are the All Blacks, who lost to France in the tournament’s opening match before sealing their place in the last eight with three comfortable wins.
Ireland are the favourite for this one, but you can never write off the All Blacks, and this one could come down to the smallest of margins.
England vs Fiji
England have been quietly professional so far in the tournament, topping Pool D with four wins from four.
And Steve Borthwick’s side will fancy their chances of reaching the last four when they face Fiji in Marseille on Sunday.
However, England are yet to face an elite-level side in the tournament, so it’s hard to gauge exactly how strong they are.
And that can be said of Fiji, who have shown signs of excellence in the tournament, such as their defeat of Australia, before falling to defeat against Portugal.
England should have the class to edge this, but Fiji are bound to attract plenty of interest with punters at a tasty price.
France vs South Africa
The final quarter-final could well be the match of the weekend as host nation France take on the reigning champions South Africa in Paris.
France have been impressive in their home tournament and are set to be bolstered by the return of Antoine Dupont after recovering from a fractured cheekbone.
South Africa have also impressed, winning three of their pool games and losing narrowly to Ireland in a match they should have won.
Many believe the Springboks are yet to hit top gear in the tournament, and Sunday could be the time they do so.
This one has the hallmarks of a classic and is sure to be a bruising encounter.
