Rugby World Cup 2019: Typhoon Hagibis could knock out Ireland with Samoa game in line of fire
If called off the game would be recorded as a scoreless draw, potentially opening the door for Scotland to progress
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.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.
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
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments