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Super Typhoon Hagibis remains on course to affect England\u2019s Rugby World Cup meeting with France in Tokyo on Saturday, but to what extent remains uncertain.<\/p>\nSuper Typhoon Hagibis remains on course to affect England\u2019s Rugby World Cup meeting with France in Tokyo on Saturday, but to what extent remains uncertain.<\/p>\n
The 170mph storm was around 900 miles south of Tokyo on Wednesday, and is expected to make landfall in southern Japan by Saturday, which could impact on the Pool C fixture in Yokohama.<\/p>\n
Scotland are set to play hosts Japan, also at Yokohama\u2019s International Stadium, in Pool A on Sunday.<\/p>\n
Ireland\u2019s Pool A game against Samoa on Saturday and Wales\u2019 Pool D clash with Uruguay on Sunday are on the other side of Japan \u2013 in Fukuoka and Kumamoto, respectively \u2013 so most likely out of the storm\u2019s main path.<\/p>\n
The Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka, however, could be affected. Formula One\u2019s ruling body the FIA is monitoring the situation.<\/p>\n
World Rugby is expected to announce on Thursday whether any matches must be cancelled due to the storm.<\/p>\n
Hagibis has escalated from a tropical storm into a Category 5 super typhoon, with winds reaching 180mph in one of the most dramatic intensification of any tropical cyclone since records began.<\/p>\n
It is many times the dimensions of Typhoon Faxai, which brought Tokyo to a standstill for the day of England\u2019s arrival for the World Cup, delaying their exit from Narita Airport by six hours, killing three people and leaving a million homes without power.<\/p>\n
What strength those wind speeds will be once it makes landfall this weekend and the impact of any flooding or tidal surge remains to be seen.<\/p>\n
A Met Office spokesperson said: \u201cThe overall story remains the same. Typhoon Hagibis in the western North Pacific is on track towards Japan this weekend.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs of Wednesday morning, it was located around 900 miles south of Tokyo with estimated wind speeds of around 120mph and gusts of 170mph.<\/p>\n
\u201cObviously as Hagibis moves towards Japan it is going to weaken and those wind speeds will fall.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are expecting that Hagibis is likely to make landfall on Saturday, not too far from Tokyo.<\/p>\n
\u201cBy that stage it will have weakened significantly, but with sustained wind strengths still of around 90mph and with gusts of up to 135mph. Along with the strong winds, we are expecting very heavy rain along its path.<\/p>\n
\u201cObviously with those very strong and severe winds, with heavy rain, there is likelihood of significant impact from the damaging winds and also from storm surge.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith the winds and large waves, there is the risk of flash flooding as well in the Tokyo region.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Met Office spokesperson added: \u201cWhile the location and extent of impact are still rather uncertain, there is an increasing likelihood Hagibis will affect southern Japan.\u201d<\/p>\n
Any World Cup matches cancelled due to weather problems are registered as scoreless draws and would have no impact on the final standings for England and France as both have already qualified for the knockout stage.<\/p>\n
However, should the match in Yokohama be called off, it would leave England heading into the quarter-finals without having played for a fortnight.<\/p>\n
England defense coach John Mitchell said: \u201cOne thing we really pride ourselves on is being adaptable and flexible for anything that may throw us off.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf there are other factors that are outside our control, then we\u2019ll find another way to prepare very well.\u201d<\/p>\n