Counting down to RWC2011 - 6 September 2011

Let's continue to look at the pool play; today we preview Pool B which comprises:

• Argentina
• England
• Georgia
• Romania
• Scotland

This is one of the more fascinating pools, where three doesn't go into two, and a very good international team will miss out on the post-section phase of the tournament. Logis suggests that it will be one of Scotland or Argentina, but we have seen logic go out the window at previous World Cup tournaments.

Pool B gets right down to business this week, with what should be one of the highlights of the pool; England versus Argentina at Dunedin's new Forsyth Barr Stadium. Dunedin should go off this weekend, and the outcome of this match will have significant consequences for the progress of the pool. The winner will be well on the way to qualifying for the quarter-finals; for the loser, the sudden-death phase of the tournament begins early. This match kicks off at 8.30pm on Saturday night, and is in our must-watch category.

Later matches to excite in Pool B will be Argentina versus Scotland at Wellington on 25 September, and one of rugby's most historic fixtures, Scotland versus England at Auckland on 1st October. Although the Calcutta Cup will not be at stake in the latter match, it should be a thrilling last-round clash between the Six Nations rivals

Georgia and Romania make up the numbers, and both sides will be looking for credibility. The Romanians were among the darlings onf the inaugural RWC in 1987 whilst the presence of both Georgia and Russia suggest that rugby is gaining a following in Eastern Europe. That has to be good for the game, and their participation here will be more than welcome. We might even pop over to Palmerston North to watch the Georgia versus Romania match on 28 September.

Predictions: Hmmmm. England will be tough, Argentina will bring a formidable forward pack, and the Scots have been the Six Nations improvers in 2011. We'll sit on the fence just for a couple of days; Pool B is too close to call.