This weekend could be the most important weekend in World Cup history, arguably rugby union history.

Five teams have the opportunity to maintain the status quo in world rugby.

Five teams have the opportunity to put world rugby on its head.

England, France, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

Tonga, Georgia, Argentina, Italy and Fiji.

England v Tonga, Scotland v Italy, and Wales v Fiji are all straight shoot outs.

A berth in the quarter finals against Australia, tbd but most probably Argentina, and South Africa respectively the prize.

The France v Georgia and Ireland v Argentina matches offer up high drama and mathematical permutations to boggle the mind.

Argentine and French victories will see both teams going through 1 and 2 from Pool D, with QF contests against Scotland/Italy and New Zealand respectively.  Beyond this it’s out with the rule book and calculator.

If the home nations and the hosts prevail and join Australia, New Zealand and South Africa in the quarter finals, normal service will seem to have been resumed.

If the Tri-Nations teams are joined by Argentina, Fiji, Georgia, Italy and Tonga world rugby will experience a new dawn.

To the victor the spoils.