Rugby World Cup Q&A: Mail Sport’s experts – including Mike Brown – answer all your key questions surrounding this weekend’s quarter-finals with Marcus Smith and Owen Farrell among the talking points

Mike Brown: Knowing George he’ll bounce back, like he’s always done. He’s had to deal with sitting behind Owen for most of his international career – playing either when Owen’s been moved to 12 or when he’s injured. George is a great professional and it’s a shame as he started the tournament so well. I would still have him in the starting XV with Owen in at 12. I’m not sure why if they were going to drop George for the quarters they didn’t do it against Samoa. It’s a bit strange for me. George will come again and when he does he will provide great experience and game control off the bench.

Mike Brown: I don’t think much has changed in his game, really – he is still doing what he does at 10 but with a bit more space and time to allow him to do that. He’s great in unstructured situations which he may get more of in the full-back position in terms of counter-attacks and turnovers. I don’t think his game has developed much playing at 15 as he hasn’t really been tested there in terms of the technical stuff a full-back has to do. That might happen now with the step up in opposition. Fiji do have a kicking game and that’s one of the reasons why they’re in the quarter-finals – as exemplified by one of the tries they scored in their famous win over Australia. That could be a warning to England as Australia had a natural 10 playing as an inexperienced 15 and he fumbled the ball in that defeat. Fiji are hugely dangerous in unstructured situations and that’s why it worries me that we have named an inexperienced full-back due to the specific positional skills required. I get a bit nervous thinking about that.

Mike Brown: My biased opinion will always favour the traditional style of full-back because I fit that mould myself. As great a talent that Marcus is, I would still go with Freddie against Fiji as he has been the man in possession of the shirt for a while. I do think he needs to find a way to contribute more in attack – whether that’s the system not allowing him to do so, I’m not sure – but you still need that rock at the back at international level, whoever you’re playing, is hugely important to me. Throwing Marcus off the bench with his talent can add something different, so I would’ve stuck with Freddie at full-back. Hopefully Marcus will prove me wrong and have a brilliant game that helps us get through the quarter-final.

Chris Foy: The Eddie Jones situation is complex and enthralling for rugby followers around the world. Both sides have boxed themselves into a corner, as the employee – Jones – has expressed a commitment to stay and the employer – Rugby Australia – have expressed support for him. There is a power-play going on here and Japan are acting as the suitors who provide Jones with a potential exit strategy. Based on all the evidence, I would imagine that, eventually, a solution will be found to allow both parties to save face. It would be no surprise at all to see Jones returning to Tokyo, but not yet.

Chris Foy: The quarter-final line-up is fascinating, in that all four matches could be mighty close. England and Wales both have a huge opportunity to progress to the last-four stage as they are rightly favourites for their games against Fiji and Argentina respectively. The Paris matches are very difficult to call. I can’t help thinking at least one of the southern teams will upset the anticipated European party. Ireland are on such a roll and have such a complete game and mass support that they should see off New Zealand, but South Africa could shatter French dreams despite the fast-tracking of Antoine Dupont.

Chris Foy: The eye-catching performance of some so-called Tier 2 sides has been one of the best features of this World Cup and should serve as a catalyst for change. I passionately believe that structural upheaval is needed to open up the sport and allow it to expand as it could. Uruguay scared hosts France and Portugal were magnificent throughout their pool campaign, culminating in the famous win over Fiji. I was in Toulouse that night and their fans were there in huge numbers. Then came the euphoric scenes at Lisbon airport. Rugby has to be willing to dismantle its tired status quo.

Chris Foy: Marcus Smith at full-back was not a scenario I would have envisaged at all a few months ago and it is a gamble, but I like it. He is learning the position, which means that he could be exposed by canny opponents, but Fiji lack the supreme kicking game of many other leading teams, since first-choice fly-half Caleb Muntz was ruled out of the World Cup. In terms of attacking potential, Smith can give England a different dimension and I like the principle of not wanting to die wondering. The risk-reward equation justifies this bold decision by Borthwick.

Chris Foy: Dropping George Ford to allow Owen Farrell to start at 10 in the quarter-final is a decision which makes no sense at all based on any form indicators. Ford has been outstanding at this World Cup and does not deserve to be the fall-guy in this back-line reshuffle. After the first two rounds – when the Sale fly-half expertly steered England to victories over Argentina and Japan – it was unthinkable that he wouldn’t continue at 10. Farrell has been preferred on reputational and leadership grounds, but I agree with most fans who seem stunned and deflated by the decision.

Alex Bywater: If Wales make the semi-finals in France, it would be the third time they’ve reached the last-four of a World Cup under Gatland. Now back in charge of Wales for a second spell, Gatland has admitted his first trophy-laden stint did paper over the cracks in the country’s national game. Gatland and his players and staff deserve a huge amount of credit for the way they’ve turned things around since the Six Nations and for the success of their World Cup campaign to date. In the likes of Jac Morgan, Louis Rees-Zammit and Costelow, Wales have exciting players for the future. But underneath the national team, problems still remain. An upcoming independent report into allegations of sexism at the Welsh Rugby Union is set to be published after the World Cup and is likely to cause negative headlines. There remain problems at domestic level. Wales’ four regions are badly financed, their

o compete for success in the United Rugby Championship and in Europe. But those are problems for the future. The reality for Welsh rugby is that if the national side is successful here in France, the majority of the fans will be happy.

Alex Bywater: Michael Cheika’s Pumas are a very dangerous side. But, it is undeniable they have not been at their best in France. Argentina were particularly poor in their first game against England, making lots of uncharacteristic errors. They responded to make the quarter-finals but the serious hamstring injury suffered by their flanker Pablo Matera is a big blow to their hopes of beating Wales. Argentina scored five tries to beat Japan and set-up the Wales game. Many have said that tie showed the Pumas are improving. But Japan missed 26 tackles which allowed Argentina’s attack to thrive. Wales are unlikely to be as generous. On the flip side, Argentina missed 29 tackles of their own against Japan. Wales will look to capitalise on that. The bottom line is that if Wales play to their best, they should win.

Alex Bywater: The first thing to say about Anscombe is just what a great shame it is that he keeps suffering injury. He has had so much bad luck and deserves a break! He missed the 2019 World Cup and then had two years on the sidelines. In August he thought he would miss this tournament too. But Anscombe was magnificent coming off the bench for Biggar against Australia, scoring 23 points in a man-of-the-match display. He then tweaked his groin in the warm-up to the Georgia win. It was cruel to watch him leave the field in tears. In an ideal world, Gatland would have had Anscombe as back-up to Biggar this weekend but that is not feasible for Argentina. The fact Anscombe is still with the squad and hasn’t been sent home suggest that if Wales can make the last four, they think he will be fit then.

Alex Bywater: Biggar is Wales’ No 1 fly-half. And his return from the pectoral injury he suffered in the win over Australia is even more important with Gareth Anscombe unavailable for the Argentina quarter-final due to a groin problem. Biggar will retire from international rugby after this World Cup. He is the ultimate Test match animal who has shown over the years he thrives in big knock-out matches. In tight games his reliable kicking from the tee is also vital. His presence in the starting line-up for Argentina is massive for Wales. Sam Costelow is a promising player but still young and Gatland knows he needs experience. Expect Biggar to have a big game in Marseille.

Alex Bywater: When Wales’ players threatened to strike in a Six Nations that saw them beat only Italy, it looked like the World Cup could well be a disaster waiting to happen. The fact that has not proved to be the case has been down to head coach Warren Gatland who is a master at getting teams into prime condition to be successful at World Cups. The turnaround has been remarkable. Gatland’s players are in top shape physically, but the biggest thing that has made such a difference for me is the change in the squad environment. Wales’ players were understandably unhappy earlier this year as contractual and financial uncertainty hit. Now, things are on more of an even keel off the field. The atmosphere in the Welsh camp is excellent. The players are happy and it is hard to underestimate what a difference that makes. Wales finished the pool stages with 19 points from a possible 20 and Argentina is a more-than-winnable quarter-final.

There are plans to expand the global showpiece come 2027 edition in Australia.

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Yes, that’s right. As revealed by Mail Sport on Wednesday it appears that captain Owen Farrell will start at fly-half against Fiji on Sunday.

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And welcome to Mail Sport’s Rugby World Cup Q+A! After the grind of the group stages, we now have four mouthwatering quarter-finals to look forward to in Wales vs Argentina, Ireland vs New Zealand, England vs Fiji and France vs South Africa.

Ahead of this weekend’s clashes, our experts Chris Foy, Nik Simon and Alex Bywater as well as former England international Mike Brown will be answering your questions about those big match-ups in question.