The big matches not to miss
England v South Africa
Friday, 14 September, 8pm, ITV1
This promises to be a brutal and physical encounter that should please the fans no end. The two teams met in the group stages of the 2003 World Cup with England emerging victorious. However, things have changed and England will enter the game as underdogs, following a sustained period of underachievement. The game will decide who finishes top of the group and gets a better quarter-final draw. Two massive packs of forwards will make for a bruising and tense match. England will hope that returning hero Jonny Wilkinson can kick the goals to sweep them to victory, but it will be a tough ask. The Springboks are the only team heavily tipped to give New Zealand a run for their money as tournament winners.
Wales v Australia
Saturday, 15 September, 2pm, ITV1
The Aussies have a fine World Cup pedigree and are the only side ever to win the tournament twice. They always seem to peak at the right time and have shown signs that 2007 will be no exception after becoming the first side to beat the mighty All Blacks at home in 24 matches. Australia will fancy their chances having beaten Wales twice over the summer, but the Dragons were not at full strength then. Wales will be itching to prove that they can mix it with the big southern hemisphere teams. Young and talented centre James Hook is the player to look out for, but the battle of the openside flankers - between the excellent Martin Williams and the Wallabies' classy George Smith - could decide this one.
France v Ireland
Friday, 21 September, 8pm, ITV1
Every tournament has a group of death and the Rugby World Cup is no exception, with France, Ireland and Argentina battling it out for just two quarter-final places. This will be a massively-important game if either team harbours real aspirations of not only qualifying but avoiding New Zealand in the next round. The French are the Six Nations champions having beaten Ireland thanks to a last-minute try and with home advantage must carry the tag of favourites. But the French are the French and have the capacity to be both sublime and ridiculous. Ireland will look to their inspirational captain Brian O'Driscoll - who many believe is the best player in the world - to secure a win.
Scotland v New Zealand
Sunday, 23 September, 4pm, ITV1
Realistically, Scotland have no chance of winning against everyone's favourite to lift the Webb Ellis Cup. It is a peculiarity of a World Cup that is supposed to be held in France that Scotland will actually play this game at home in Edinburgh. But even home advantage will not be enough to stop the marauding All Blacks, who ooze world class from every position. The leading lights of this team are captain and flanker Richie McCaw and fly half Dan Carter. Scotland's back row, led by captain Jason White, will have their hands full trying to keep the score respectable.
