Tri-Nations

An Irish victory will leave a Tri-Nations route to the final on one side and a Six Nations trail on the other.

Rugby World Cup 2011: Scotland hope chaos theory will unsettle England | Paul Rees 2011

Gatland, whose side have won just one of 16 matches against Tri-Nations opposition, summed it up neatly: There are three things that to be an international player give you an advantage.

Warm words for Shane Williams but Wales face cold reality 2011

All of which is some way removed from the cloud that covered them after three defeats from the first three starts in the Tri-Nations this summer.

South Africa fly from Tri-Nations flops to World Cup wonders in a month 2011

Drew Mitchell has been recalled to the reserves bench and is part of the match squad for the first time this year after missing the Tri-Nations campaign due an injured ankle.

Rugby World Cup 2011: James O'Connor in Australia line-up 2011

Might South Africa, far from being the weakest Tri-Nations side, now be the southern hemisphere's best chance of lifting the Webb Ellis Cup again?

South Africa fly from Tri-Nations flops to World Cup wonders in a month 2011

But Australia had the upper hand in the front eight when they clinched the Tri-Nations title in August with victory in Durban.

Rugby World Cup 2011: South Africa v Australia – live! | Evan Fanning 2011

He was criticised for sending a second string to Sydney for the Tri-Nations opener, and paying the price, and then for sticking with the captain, John Smit, at hooker ahead of the clearly more effective Bismarck du Plessis.

South Africa fly from Tri-Nations flops to World Cup wonders in a month 2011

They were disappointed with how things went in the Tri-Nations so they're going to be hungry and keen to put things right.

Butch James Tom Bryant 2010

Quite apart from the potential that created for discontent in the camp, South Africa ended up bottom of the Tri-Nations table and De Villiers was heavily criticised as the team came into the World Cup.

South Africa fly from Tri-Nations flops to World Cup wonders in a month 2011

Centre Anthony Fainga'a, a star in Australia's Tri-Nations victory over New Zealand last month but replaced after an unhappy first half last weekend against Italy, will line up against Ireland captain Brian O'Driscoll.

Rugby World Cup 2011: James O'Connor in Australia line-up 2011