RWC 2019

That's what I'm saying.  More commitment, much more in my view is needed from the 'top ten'! That 'will' must also come from them. The once every four years is clearly not enough for those in the lower tiers. 

MSF, how on Earth can it be a problem with the ‘top ten’, it isn’t everyone else’s responsibility?🤷🏻‍♂️. Each Country needs to decide if their commitment to a World class team is what they want. Italy & Japan have come on in leaps & bounds over time, it’s no one’s responsibility but their own.

Simple, each 'home' union approach others and deciding which countries to play friendlies against, some commitment as suggested could help. A similar thing happened in the years prior to Italy joining the then 5 nations. Where their is a will I'm sure!

Also, the IRB could help by backing a call for the top tier to play at least one or more developing nation per season

An impending typhoon could put a halt to Scotlands' progress into the quarter finals. Typhoon 'Haggis' as some will call it, has already accounted for England vs France and could well interfere with Ireland's game (but not them moving forward) and the Tifosi will rue the opportunity of a run out against the Blacks and their improbable advancement.

With a week until the scheduled quarters, surely a rearranged fixture is better than a cancelled game, albeit the 'resting' period in between could favour the opposition? (The French will have had a 2 week rest as opposed to Wales' one)

Do they not have contingency strategies in Japan? 

When considering the infrequency of these super typhoons and magnitude of this one I guess all the right decisions regarding health and safety are currently being made. Totally understandable, very disappointing at the same time. Lots of natives will be effected adversely and my hopes and prayers go out to these folk, families, friends and of course to those visitors to these shores for what ever reason they are visiting the stricken areas of Japan.

I wonder if the same fool who decided Japan in the Typhoon Season is good, is the same fool who decided Qatar would be a good World Cup venue? Some very dodgy decisions being made about some very big events........

Micky, if you knew there was a 'season' for inclement weather ie tornados, typhoons, hurricanes et al, which may have adverse effects on a tournament, surely you would reconsider the venue, or at least have contingency plans, should the worst happen? 

As TTDA said above, some decisions on venues beggar belief, given the extremes players are expected to perform in. No doubt  we'll see a Test Match in Antarctica next 😀

I do think it's a delicate balancing act for the organisers. It's good that they are spreading interest in the game by taking the tournament to Japan and it must help the developing rugby nations maintain interest. In normal circumstances the decision wouldn't have been questioned and one has to remember that this is an extreme weather event - the worst to hit the country in 80 years according to news reports.

But things must be kept in perspective and my thoughts are with the Japanese people who have suffered so much in recent years and again are facing some disastrous consequences.

Any talk of "legal action" to get games played must be judged against that - it will be unfortunate for Scotland if their game against Japan is called off resulting in them being knocked out of the tournament,  but let's keep a bit of dignity - it is,  after all, just a game. 

Hate to say it but the top countries 'dictate' the timing of the RWC playing window to fit and suit their own domestic and traditional touring seasons.  Having said that I'm sure a risk assessment was made as to the chances of such an extreme weather event happening during the tournament in Japan, a rugby development Nation. Unfortunately the gods were not with them this time. 

Even in the UK this summer the Cricket World Cup had games cancelled with similar consequences for some participating countries for extremely mild weather conditions in comparison! 

If this typhoon hadn't  happened, and the odds were low we are told, we would not be questioning the organisers I'm sure or calling them stupid!

Great points and contributions from all above.

Thankfully, as I write this, there's only been one fatality (which is one too many) compared to many thousands in previous years. It is, after all, only a game and if the referee blows his whistle and makes his decision, in time honoured tradition, we wouldn't question it. Therefore we should continue to uphold the decisions of the organisers, no matter what.