Sydney - The Rugby World Cup quarterfinal line-up should be a lot clearer after the third weekend of pool matches, starting on Monday.
While England seem assured of finishing top of Pool C ahead of South Africa after winning their crunch match in Perth last weekend, the other three groups are only just starting to heat up.
Barring a major upset, the quarterfinalists from Pools A and D should be decided this weekend and the Pool B winner should also be resolved.
Defending champions Australia, who play Namibia on Tuesday with a second-string team captained by back-up scrumhalf Chris Whitaker, are favourites to win pool A, but the main interest is in the runners-up spot, which could be decided by Sunday's clash between Argentina and Ireland.
Both teams posted resounding wins over Romania and Namibia but have been saving their best for the clash at the Adelaide Oval.
The Pumas beat Ireland to make the quarterfinals at the last World Cup, but the Irish will be slight favourites this time.
"That was four years ago and things have changed dramatically since then," said Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan.
"Argentina are arguably the most improved team in world rugby but we're a better team as well."
France, finalists in 1987 and 1999, can wrap up Pool B if they beat Scotland at Sydney's Olympic Stadium on Tuesday.
The French easily won their opening two matches against Fiji and Japan and are heavily favoured to beat a Scottish side struggling for form and without flank Martin Leslie, who was suspended for 12 weeks for kneeing American Jason Keyter.
If the Scots lose, the runners-up spot will come down to their final match against Fiji to decide who goes through.
But cautious France coach Bernard Laporte said nothing should be taken for granted.
Although England have already cleared their major hurdle by beating the Springboks, their next opponents Samoa currently top the pool standings after collecting maximum points against Georgia and Uruguay.
However, the Pacific islanders will slip down to third place this week if they lose to the English in Melbourne on Sunday as expected and the Springboks beat Georgia in Sydney on Monday.
"We will sort our game out this week and come out stronger this week against Samoa," said England back Jason Robinson.
"They are leading Pool C at the moment. They are physical and have some exciting backs and they will fancy their chances."
Tournament favourites New Zealand have been crushing everything in their path in Pool D and should rack up another cricket score in their clash with Tonga in Brisbane on Monday.
But, as in Pool A, the main interest is in the battle for second place, which will be decided by tomorrow's clash between Wales and Italy in Canberra.
Both have beaten Canada and Tonga, but Wales have a distinct advantage because they have had just two matches while the Italians will be playing their fourth game in 14 days.
"If we play well enough and don't win because we're fatigued, that would be a great injustice," said Italy coach John Kirwan.
"(But) I'm not criticising the organisation because we can't afford the fine." - Reuters