Ireland assistant coach Mike Catt has laughed off the idea that there might be collusion with Scotland to ensure both teams go through to the World Cup quarter-finals at the expense of defending champions South Africa.
All three teams are still in the hunt for a knockout spot, with the Springboks already completing their four Pool B matches, and Ireland and Scotland meeting in a Paris showdown on Sunday (NZ time).
If Scotland win by 21 points or more, with the Irish earning a bonus-point, then those two teams would advance and knock out South Africa.
Springboks coach Jacques Nienaber says that collusion would constitute "match-fixing", but Catt dismissed the idea out of hand in any case.
"That stuff is just white noise in the background," he said. "No, we are not going to be in cahoots with Scotland.
"Would we want Scotland to beat us by 21 points? Would you want Scotland to beat you by 21 points?"
Ireland, who have won their last eight tests against Scotland since 2017, are strong favourites to go through, after their epic 13-8 victory over the Springboks at Stade de France two weeks ago.
South African fans should be reassured by the fact that the last time Scotland beat Ireland by 21 or more points was a 32-10 victory in the 2001 Six Nations, one of only six Scottish wins in 30 tests against the Irish this century.
Scotland could also go through with South Africa by winning by eight points or more, and depriving the top-ranked Irish a bonus point.
Even that has proved out of reach for the Scots in the last 22 years, as the last time they managed a win with more than a seven-point margin was in a 2007 World Cup warm-up.
The top two teams from Pool B will crossover with their counterparts from Pool A, likely France and New Zealand.
A World Cup winner with England in 2003, Catt is leaving all consideration of permutations to head coach Andy Farrell.
"Andy is fully aware of what needs to happen," he said. "Ultimately, both sides need to win the game.
"If you do that, then you put yourself in a good position, that is what we will try to do."
Catt says Ireland will look to improve even on their performance against the Springboks, as they chase a 17th straight test win.
"We have prepared well for this game," he said. "We have had a weekend off on the back of that South Africa game and we need to chase our potential.
"We need to make sure we go up another level to what we were against South Africa."
Reuters
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