Tournament hosts France eased through pool A with four dominant victories and are looking an unstoppable force ahead of the quarter-finals after their 60-7 demolition of Six Nations rivals Italy. 

South Africa look like Les Bleus’ next opponents in the last eight and Fabian Galthie’s side will be full of confidence after their seven-try victory, despite the absence of injured talisman Antoine Dupont. 

France enjoyed the perfect start as Thomas Ramos put Damian Penaud over for the opening try after just two minutes.

Ramos added to the tournament hosts’ lead with a penalty from halfway before Penaud produced a kick pass to tyro wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey who still had work to do but stepped a couple of defenders and dotted down.

The French flair was on full display in Lyon as the instrumental Ramos finished another try that involved magical handling from the France backline.

Italy responded with an abundance of phases against a stubborn French defence and after 17 surges forward, eventually Simone Ferrari crossed but the try that was ruled out by the TMO due to the try scorer’s dangerous clean out in the build up on Maxime Lucu’s head. 

The Italy prop was yellow carded for foul play, while at the other end France secured the four-try bonus point.

Mathieu Jalibert produced a pinpoint cross field kick to pick out Penaud who scored his 15th try of the calendar year. 

As good as France were, Italy were awful in truth conceding multiple handling errors and foolish penalties.

Jalibert crossed after half time with a dummy and slick side-step showcasing how much of a balanced runner the France fly-half is.

Hooker Peato Mauvaka was the next cab off the rank to score as he dove over for France’s sixth try. 

France reached the half century mark through Yoram Moefana’s try out wide courtesy of Jalibert’s looping pass.

Manuel Zuliani scored Italy’s first points as the Azzuri’s endeavour was rewarded with the back row hustling and fighting his way over the whitewash. 

Moefana secured his brace profiting from scintillating handling and Melvyn Jaminet kicked a last gasp penalty to round off an emphatic France win. 

After becoming the most capped All Black last week, Sam Whitelock broke the record for Rugby World Cup appearances as his side booked a spot in the quarter-finals with a demolition of Uruguay. 

Second row Whitelock made his 23rd appearance at the showpiece tournament 149th, surpassing Jason Leonard and Richie McCaw. 

Uruguay had nothing to lose having already been eliminated and their impressive performances against France and Italy were followed by a stubborn defensive display in the opening 10 minutes.

Cam Roigard appeared to have scored the opening try but his effort was cancelled out when the TMO spotted a knock on while the Hurricanes scrum-half was grounding.

At the other end, Manuel Ardao danced down the touchline but was only denied by a try saving tackle from Anton Lienert-Brown. 

Compared to last weekend’s 96-17 demolition of Italy where they scored six tries in the first half, New Zealand were sluggish early on and endured five handling errors in the first 12 minutes.

However, the All Blacks burst into life getting their silky handling into gear as Damian McKenzie and Richie Mo’unga crossed in quick succession.

McKenzie produced a moment of magic where he walked the tightrope to keep in play and flicked the ball back inside to the grateful Will Jordan, who scored his 26th try in his 28 caps.

On the stroke of half time, Roigard went over off a well worked scrum 5m out while after the interval the All Blacks try scoring continued with substitute Fletcher Newell stepping his way to score.

Leicester Fainga’anuku followed suit profiting from an excellent looping pass by Jordan. 

McKenzie, Jordan and Fainga’anuku secured their braces as the one way traffic continued in the closing stages before Crusaders winger Fainga’anuku completed his hat-trick. 

It was do or die for New Zealand but the three-time world champions demolished a below par Italian side with a scintillating 14-try 96-17 victory.

A defeat would have eliminated the All Blacks at the pool stages for the first time but Ian Foster’s men flexed their muscles with seven tries in the opening 40 minutes that wrapped up the game early on before the attacking brilliance continued in the second stanza. 

New Zealand scored the opening try after just six minutes as Beauden Barrett’s pinpoint cross field kick picked out Will Jordan, who finished sensationally out wide.

But the All Blacks infringed at a ruck after the restart and full back Tommy Allan was on hand to knock over three points in reply.

New Zealand scored their second try after going to the corner and Aaron Smith went over off a driving maul.

The All Blacks began to run riot in Lyon as Ardie Savea made a barnstorming break through midfield brushing off attempted Italian tacklers and fed Mark Telea who was too big and too strong for the weak Italian defence.

Telea’s score was followed a minute later by the bonus point try from Savea who went over untouched off a lineout.

Richie Mo’unga remained perfect off the tee with his conversations and the game began to run away from the Italians mainly due to their woeful defence.

Smith scored his second after 26 minutes as the All Blacks forwards and backs continued to gel together in the set piece. 

Jordie Barrett then broke through the Italian defence and fed Smith who secured his hat-trick after just 34 minutes.

And on the stroke of half time Savea scored his second and New Zealand’s seventh try by burrowing over from close range.

Italy started the better of the two sides in the second half and responded with a well worked try courtesy of silky handling that was finished by Ange Capuozzo.

But New Zealand surpassed the half century mark as Brodie Retallick pounced from three metres out.

Telea broke through the Italian defence once more to feed Dalton Papalii and the Blues flanker produced an excellent pick up to go over and score.

Dane Coles was the next cab off the rank to cross off a well worked lineout and Damian McKenzie  followed with his own seven-pointer. 

Jordan chipped ahead and Savea played a one two with his wing as the Crusaders flyer touched down for his second try before Coles followed suit. 

Anton Lienert-Brown got in on the scoring act after being assisted by the excellent Cam Roigard. 

Monty Ioane rounded off the try scoring festival with a last gasp solo effort to bring an end to an entertaining but extremely one sided affair.

Namibia’s 24-year wait for a Rugby World Cup win continues as they were beaten by Uruguay 36-26 in Lyon. 

The Welwitschias' 25-match losing run continues despite an encouraging and valiant performance off the back of their 96-0 humbling by hosts France last week. 

While, Uruguay followed competitive performances against France and Italy to secure their first win of the tournament with a bonus point victory. 

It took just 59 seconds for Namibia to score the opening try as a sloppy pass by Felipe Etcheverry was intercepted by winger Gerswin Mouton, who streaked away to score under the posts that allowed Tiaan Swanepoel an easy conversion.

Uruguay seemed shell shocked by the African side’s try and they went further behind before the 10 minute mark. 

JC Greyling became the first Namibian to have scored three World Cup tries as he grounded in the corner after great soft hands by No.8 Richard Hardwick.

Swanepoel secured the seven-pointer with his conversion from a tough angle. 

Uruguay roared back with sustained pressure and their scrum dominance resulted in Baltazar Amaya going over.

Felipe Etcheverry’s conversion was charged down and the routine extras were missed. 

Uruguay were trying to move the ball from deep but their accuracy was poor and put themselves under pressure. 

Swanepoel knocked over a further three points with a penalty but Uruguay produced an imposing driving maul that hooker German Kessler finished.

Etcheverry landed the touchline conversion to reduce the deficit to four points after an enthralling opening 30 minutes.

However, Lions fly-half Swanepoel continued his prolific goal kicking by adding penalties either side of half time.

Uruguay had clear scrum dominance and after Namibia conceded their fifth penalty, Aranos Coetzee was sent to the sin bin.

With Uruguay just five metres out, the South American side spun the ball to the outside and full back Amaya finished in the corner with an acrobatic diving finish. 

Etcheverry completed the try from a difficult angle as he regained his shooting boots.

Livewire Uruguay scrum-half Arata stepped Namibian defenders twice to weave his way through the defence and run through untouched.

The sin bin period cost Namibia 14 points and shortly after going back up to 15, captain Tijuee Uanivi was yellow carded for a high tackle. 

Namibia’s ill-discipline continued to be their downfall as just seconds later they went down to 13 as Desiderius Sethie made direct contact to the head in a tackle and was shown a red card. 

Three games in 18 days was taking its toll for the Africans as they went further behind courtesy of a pinpoint cross field kick by Felipe Berchesi that picked out winger Bautista Basso. 

Swanepoel’s fourth penalty momentarily made it a one score game but replacement 10 Berchesi restored Uruguay’s 10-point lead. 

The second half card frenzy continued as Uruguay substitute Eric Dos Santos was yellow carded for a high tackle of his own. 

A Gareth Anscombe kicking masterclass sees Wales ease past Australia and into a World Cup Quarter Final as they win 40-6 in Lyon tonight.

Anscombe, who came on to replace Dan Biggar in the 12^th minute, kicked 23 points tonight, as well as setting up a Nick Tompkins try in the second half. Australia are all-but-out of this World Cup and are in crisis as Eddie Jones loses his 7^th game from 8 as head coach of the Wallabies.

Wales were fast out of the blocks, as they looked to settle into their attacking shape quickly. From their own lineout, they played the ball through the hands of Gareth Davies, Dan Biggar and Nick Tompkins. The inside-centre took the ball bravely to the line, before popping an inside pass to captain Jac Morgan, the flanker running a brilliant support line that split the Wallabies’ defence wide open. With just a single defender covering in the backfield, Morgan had the easy option of playing a simple inside pass to his scrum-half who had to put on the afterburners to catch his captain. Gareth Davies would score easily under the posts, marking a dream start for Wales in Lyon.

Australia were stunned at the start of this game, but responded well with a long spell of possession inside the Welsh 22’ as they forced Wales to make a number of big tackles early on. With the Welsh defence straying offside, Australia were awarded a penalty in front of the posts. Opting for a kick at goal, Ben Donaldson easily converted the score, reducing Wales’ lead in the 8^th minute. Another penalty from Donaldson six minutes later from a similar position was again easily converted by Donaldson, reducing Wales’ lead to just a single point. Australia survived the early onslaught from Wales and would gain a foothold in this game.

With Dan Biggar removed from the pitch due to a shoulder injury in the 12^th minute, Gareth Anscombe was on kicking duty. His first penalty attempt rattled the post and back into play. He would have an opportunity to rectify his fist effort when Australia gifted Wales another penalty just 90 seconds later. Anscombe would make no mistake this time, as he extended Wales’ lead to 4 points with a quarter of the game played.

The defining moment of the half came in the 25^th minute, as Australia were awarded a penalty in a very kickable position following a period of sustained pressure on a strained Welsh defence. The Wallabies, however, opted to kick for the corner to try and maul the ball over the try line. From the resulting lineout, there was a serious lack of communication amongst the Australian forwards, as Dave Porecki’s throw went over the heads of those involved, none of whom even jumped. Jac Morgan was presented with the ball, the flanker opting to boot the ball down the field. It was an absolutely enormous kick from inside his own 22’ as he won his team a 50:22 lineout deep in the Australian danger zone. Australia failed to keep their discipline in the following phases, and gave away a needless penalty, which Anscombe converted to extend Wales’ lead to 7 points.

Another penalty from Gareth Anscombe would mean the half would end 16-6, although Wales almost scored a try in the dying seconds of the half, however Louis Rees Zammit was held up on the Australian try-line, triggering a Goal-line dropout and bringing the first half to a close.

It was a tight opening 40 minutes, but Wales played smarter rugby than Australia, taking their points when they had the chance, and were helped by poor discipline from the Wallabies. Wales were forced to make 103 tackles in the first half, to Australia’s 41, but the Wallabies were unable to turn this into points or even try-scoring opportunities.

Man of the hour Gareth Anscombe wouldn’t waste long in adding to his tally in the second half, scoring another penalty in the 42^nd minute to make it four from five since his arrival on the pitch. He was heavily involved again just six minutes later as he picked up the ball well-inside the Australian 22’ and produced a wonderfully weighted kick over the top of an oncoming Wallabies defence. Nick Tompkins chased the kick brilliantly, beating Andrew Kellaway on the chase, before dotting the ball down over the line to score Wales’ second try of the game. It was a wonderful chip from Gareth Anscombe, with Tompkins a deserved scorer. Predictably, Anscombe converted the try, extending their lead to 20 points with half an hour still left to play.

Australia’s set piece crumbled massively as they conceded multiple penalties in the scrum and were unable to retain their own ball in the lineout. Their heads had most certainly dropped, whereas Wales made the set-piece a happy hunting ground as they looked to perfect the basics. The Welsh defence was immense as they looked increasingly comfortable soaking up Wallabies pressure with ease.

Gareth Anscombe would convert two more penalties and score a surprise drop goal in the 51^st, 59^th and 70^th minute respectively, as they stretched their lead to an impressive 29 points with little more than ten minutes remaining. Australian issues were compounded in the 78^th minute as Wales won a penalty and opted to kick the ball to the corner. From the resulting lineout, Wales executed their driving maul to perfection with the ball in the hands of Jac Morgan at the back of the move. Morgan would have the easy task of dotting the ball down, bringing Wales to the 40-point mark in what was an absolute masterclass in Lyon tonight. Much to the surprise of everyone in the stadium, Gareth Anscombe missed the conversion, despite it being potentially his easiest kick of the night.

The replacement fly-half scored an eye-watering 23 points this evening, his right boot instrumental in guiding Wales to this emphatic win tonight.

It was a miserable night for the Wallabies, who were unable to threaten the Welsh try line at all tonight, their only points coming in the first 15 minutes of the game. They offered very little in attack, and gave away far too many penalties in dangerous positions. Their World Cup campaign is all but over following this result, barring an upset in Fiji’s two remaining games against Georgia and Portugal.

A kicking masterclass from Gareth Anscombe helps Wales to an emphatic win over Australia tonight. Full Time in Lyon, Wales 40-6 Australia