Rugby World Cup 2015: Top Picks, Key Players to Watch in Week 4 Schedule
Five of the eight quarter-finalists have already been decided at the Rugby World Cup 2015, but the final round of pool-stage action brings with it some of the most hotly anticipated fixtures.
Wales, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and France are assured of a place in the final eight, but Week 4 of the first phase will dictate who takes the remaining three quarter-final places, as well as seeing who faces whom.
It's at this stage of the tournament that the wheat gets sorted from the chaff, and we provide a look ahead to the Week 4 schedule, along with discussion of which players are likely to play a key role in the biggest matchups.
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| October 6 | 4:45 p.m. | Canada | Romania | Leicester City Stadium, Leicester |
| October 6 | 8 p.m. | Fiji | Uruguay | Stadium MK, Milton Keynes |
| October 7 | 4:45 p.m. | South Africa | USA | Olympic Stadium, London |
| October 7 | 8 p.m. | Namibia | Georgia | Sandy Park, Exeter |
| October 9 | 8 p.m. | New Zealand | Tonga | St James' Park, Newcastle |
| October 10 | 2:30 p.m. | Samoa | Scotland | St James' Park, Newcastle |
| October 10 | 4:45 p.m. | Australia | Wales | Twickenham, London |
| October 10 | 8 p.m. | England | Uruguay | Manchester City Stadium |
| October 11 | Noon | Argentina | Namibia | Leicester City Stadium, Leicester |
| October 11 | 2:30 p.m. | Italy | Romania | Sandy Park, Exeter |
| October 11 | 4:45 p.m. | France | Ireland | Millennium Stadium, Cardiff |
| October 11 | 8 p.m. | USA | Japan | Kingsholm Stadium, Gloucester |
David Pocock
Saturday evening saw England's nightmare realised as a 33-13 defeat to Australia saw them ousted from their own tournament, a result in which back-row icon David Pocock played no small role.
Despite being shifted to No. 8 by coach Michael Cheika at the World Cup, the Brumbies star has still maintained his terrier-like approach at the breakdown alongside former Wallabies captain Michael Hooper.
The pair go up against Wales on Saturday in a winner-takes-all clash at Twickenham, and opposing captain Sam Warburton hasn't beaten about the bush in stating his admiration of his imminent foes, per BBC ScrumV:
Pocock made a timely return to fitness this year as far as Australia's World Cup hopes go, and the experienced pack leader has proved pivotal thus far in the competition.
He's the most seasoned player heading into what promises to be an almighty breakdown battle against any combination of Welsh talents Warburton, Dan Lydiate and Justin Tipuric, where much of the match's sway will be won and lost.
Keith Earls
In another clutch encounter to round off the pool stage, Ireland face France this Sunday in an effort to see who will top Pool B, with the two teams currently sitting on two points apiece.
Fortunately for Ireland, Keith Earls is in prolific form of late and scored his eighth World Cup try against Italy on Sunday, per ITV Rugby, to become Ireland's all-time leading try-scorer at the tournament:
After the easy win over Romania and Canada, the 16-9 win against the Azzurri showed that this Irish side are far from as perfect as was perhaps being suggested, although Earls is a particular strength.
Just where coach Joe Schmidt intends to use the Munster man is a major factor, too, depending on whether he chooses to keep him in the centres against Les Bleus or shift him back onto the wing.
Sunday's midfield partnership alongside the fit-again Robbie Henshaw had its bright moments, but the slim win against Italy will have given France an extreme boost in confidence of topping Pool D.
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