SO, WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

AS two World Cup matches are called off, Sportsmail answers the key questions...

HOW BAD IS THE TYPHOON?

SUPER TYPHOON HAGIBIS is expected to be the worst of the year with 160mph winds causing havoc in and around Tokyo over the weekend. It is the 19th storm of the season. The 15th, ‘Faxai’, killed three people and caused £400m of damage. Hagibis is about 1,000 miles wider and could bring ‘freak waves’ in the Pacific Ocean. Everyone in Tokyo, Toyota and affected areas has been told to stay inside this weekend.

WHAT ABOUT SCOTLAND v JAPAN?

THE intention is still to play it on Sunday in Yokohama when it is expected that the typhoon will have cleared. But there is no predicting the damage the storm will do, so the venue will be assessed on Sunday morning and a decision taken no later than six hours before kick-off. There are no plans for it to be postponed or moved.

HOW DOES THIS AFFECT THE POOLS?

IF a pool match is cancelled, rules state it will be a 0-0 draw with both teams taking two points. If their game is off, Scotland are out. Italy are out due to the cancellation of their game against New Zealand.

WHY WERE MATCHES NOT MOVED?

ORGANISERS said they looked ‘extensively’ at shifting the games — possibly to Oita in the southern island of Kyushu 750 miles from the capital — but the challenge was too great. Flights and trains may not run and the stadium in Yokohama holds 72,000, with the Oita one closer to 40,000.

WILL FANS BE REFUNDED?

YES, for their ticket. But World Rugby will not help them with hotel or transport costs — telling supporters to go to their travel insurers.

WHAT HAVE THE TEAMS DONE?

ENGLAND have left Tokyo and travelled to Miyazaki, where they had a pretournament training camp. France were south in Kumamoto and would have gone up to Tokyo for the match, but have gone to Oita instead where they will meet Wales, in all likelihood, a week on Sunday. The Kiwis and Italy are near Toyota so will take shelter. Italy fly home on Monday.