OPINION: World Rugby must keep integrity of competition.

Some of this weekends Rugby World Cup 2019 fixtures are under threat, leaving many fans, pundits and media in the unknown as the dangers of Typhoon Hagibis are potentially huge.

So much so that the current World Rugby regulations in place would affect the balance of competitive Sport should games get cancelled.

Let’s focus on the potential issues from an Irish perspective in Pool A as an example.

The worry for Ireland fans is the fact that their game on Saturday against the Samoans hangs in the balance due to the storm.

As of now, should Ireland’s final pool game be called off because of the weather, then the game would be declared a 0-0 draw and both teams would be awarded two points each as per current World Rugby regulations.

The same cancellation call would be made for the Japan v Scotland clash on Sunday which is also believed to be stuck in the crosshairs of the ‘Super Typhoon’.

Should both games be cancelled and declared draws it would see Japan top Pool A with 16 points and Ireland finish second on 13 points.

The current rules in place would completely scupper Scotland’s chances, as the minimum requirement for their game against the Brave Blossoms is nothing short of bonus-point victory in order to give themselves a chance of progression. Two points from a draw would leave them on 12 points and third place.

I can see the initial logic from World Rugby’s point of view, but at this moment in time, three teams in Pool A have it all to play for and if the games were to be called off and declared draws it would stain the whole tournament.

The people of Japan have embraced this tournament and welcomed all travelling support. The public transport is second to none, the food is out of this world and of course, the Rugby and the stadium atmosphere has looked inviting from afar.

While Mother Nature cannot be stopped, World Rugby should change their regulations and delay the games affected by Typhoon Hagibis by 24 – 48 hours so they can be played.

Therefore Ireland, Japan and Scotland can take to the field and earn their place in World Rugby’s last eight. While World Rugby can keep their integrity intact when it comes to the running of a major tournament.