WHY ENGLAND

must win their pool

FINISHING top of Pool A is going to be very tough, but if Chris Robshaw, below, and his men don’t, the route to the World Cup final is much, much tougher.

IF ENGLAND FINISH TOP OF POOL A

Quarter-final:

England will play the runner-up of Pool B. From a Pool B of Japan, Samoa, Scotland, South Africa, USA, it looks likely to be Scotland or Samoa.

Semi-final:

If England win that game they face the winner of quarter-final three. Quarter final three features the winner of Pool D v runner-up of Pool C. Out of Pool C (Argentina, Georgia, Namibia, New Zealand, Tonga) Argentina are likely runners-up and out of Pool D (Canada, France, Ireland, Italy, Romania)... that’s Ireland or France on top — both would probably beat Argentina. SO IN THE SEMIFINAL, IT’S IRELAND OR FRANCE

BUT IF ENGLAND FINISH SECOND IN POOL A

Quarter-final:

England will play the winner of Pool B. From that Pool B — Japan, Samoa, Scotland, South Africa, USA, it looks likely to be South Africa.

Semi-final:

If England win that game they face the Winner of Quarter-final two. Quarter final two features the winner Pool C v runnerup Pool D. Out of Pool C (Argentina, Georgia, Namibia, New Zealand, Tonga) it’s likely to be the All Blacks. And out of Pool D (Canada, France, Ireland, Italy, Romania). It will be France or Ireland, neither of who will probably beat New Zealand. SO IN THE SEMIFINAL, IT’S NEW ZEALAND.