04:13

Scotland’s World Cup is still in doubt after tournament organisers said on Thursday they would wait until Sunday morning to decide if the Scots’ final and decisive pool match against Japan would go ahead that evening, as large parts of the country await the arrival of one of the most powerful typhoons in decades.

England and France, however, will not play in Yokohama on Saturday evening, with World Rugby and tournament organisers taking the unprecedented step of cancelling their match. Both teams have qualified for the quarterfinals with a game to spare.



Tournament director Alan Gilpin told reporters that “after extensive evaluation of weather information” organisers had decided to take the unprecedented step of cancelling matches between New Zealand and Italy and England v France.



The matches will be treated as a 0-0 draws and each time awarded two points.



“We’ve taken the very difficult but we think right decision to cancel matches,” Gilpin said, adding that Australia v Georgia and Ireland v Ireland Samoa would go ahead.



“The decision to cancel these matches has not been taken lightly and had been taken with the safety of players, supporters, and volunteers’ safety as a priority,” Gilpin said.



He said the risks were “too challenging” to deliver a fair and consistent approach for all teams and ensure the safety of spectators. Fans with tickets for the two cancelled matches will receive a refund.