Forty matches and eight survivors. At the end of a group stage rich in surprises, but which finally saw no favorite in the final victory to be on the carpet, the program of the quarterfinals of the Rugby World Cup 2019 is now known. Four posters will be held on October 19 and 20, and do not jostle positively the established order of the last editions.
Six of the eight contenders in the last four were already qualified at this stage of the tournament in 2015. Japan and England, victims of the hens four years ago, have now replaced Argentina and Scotland. The Brave Blossoms, who dominated Group A's head and shoulders, qualify for the first time in the quarter-finals and become the 13th rugby nation to do so.
Among the eight qualified, only three selections have never missed the call of the world's top 8 since the first edition of the World Cup, in 1987: Australia, New Zealand and ... France, which has managed to fill its minimum objective.
• The quarterfinal program (French hours) :
England - Australia, Saturday, October 19 at 9:15 am, in Oita
New Zealand - Ireland, Saturday, October 19 at 12:15, in Tokyo
Wales - France, Sunday, October 20, at 9:15 am, in Oita
Japan - South Africa, Sunday, October 20, at 12:15, in Tokyo