France's World Cup clash with USA to go ahead after typhoon threat

Image: World Rugby have advised both sides of contingency plans for their encounter

World Rugby and the Japan Rugby 2019 Organising Committee have confirmed France's clash with USA will go ahead as planned after a typhoon threatened to call it off.

The Japan Meteorological Agency has confirmed Typhoon Mitag is lessening in strength and tracking further westward away from Japan's coastline, and will therefore not impact the match in Fukuoka on Wednesday.

A World Rugby statement said: "Our primary objective is to always enable a match to be played as scheduled in the best interest of teams, fans and the integrity of the tournament.

"In line with robust tournament contingency plans, had the match not been able to be played at Fukuoka, an alternative venue would have been used.

"While there is every indication that Typhoon Mitag will reduce in strength and have little or no impact on the tournament, we will continue to closely monitor the situation in partnership with our weather information experts, local authorities, transport providers and the teams, and will provide further updates as required."

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Fans are advised to monitor official Rugby World Cup channels for any updates.

World Rugby issued a weather update over the weekend, admitting it had already advised the two nations of contingency plans for their encounter in Fukuoka on Wednesday.

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Pool matches cancelled on the scheduled day will not be replayed during the World Cup, with World Rugby declaring a scoreless draw and both teams awarded two points, and no bonus points.

Any potential change to the match between France and USA would have impacted England, who are also part of Pool C.

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