You’ve probably never heard of Typhoon Hagibis, but if you’re an English or Scottish rugby supporter (add the Irish into the mix, too), you’re going to want to watch it quite closely.

Before the Rugby World Cup kicked off, there was talk of the threat of a typhoon intervention, and now it looks like that may become a reality.

Typhoon Hagibis, which the Guardian calls “one of the most violent super typhoons in recent history”, is set to strike Japan this weekend, and it’s feared that it could cause chaos for travelling fans.

It could also have a profound effect on how the tournament itself plays out:

World Rugby may be forced into taking the unprecedented step of cancelling Saturday’s Pool C match between England and France as well as Scotland’s crucial fixture with Japan 24 hours later as the category five super typhoon heads for Yokohama. Both matches were among the most in-demand when tickets went on sale.

Any games cancelled due to weather problems are registered as scoreless draws, with both sides awarded two points. While England and France have already qualified for the quarter-finals, it could have huge consequences for Scotland’s Pool A game with the hosts, which also takes place at Yokohama’s 72,000-seater stadium. If that match is cancelled Scotland would be eliminated, assuming Ireland beat Samoa on Saturday.

That Ireland versus Samoa game is also under threat, so their fans will also have an uncomfortable wait to see what the weather holds.

If you think cancelling a match is an overreaction, consider that the super typhoon could bring with it wind speeds of 160 miles per hour (257 km/h).

World Rugby does have a contingency plan, which would involve moving both matches to other venues, but that would create a logistical nightmare for fans who have already made arrangements.

I reckon the French wouldn’t mind if their match against England was called off, given the disarray inside their camp, but Scotland will be sweating bullets.

Via CNN, here are some further rule clarifications:

If a match starts but is abandoned in the first-half, then a draw is also ruled, but if it is abandoned in the second-half then the score at the time the game is stopped is taken as the final score.

Are the Scots worried about some rain? As you may have guessed, no:

“Come on, we’re from Scotland,” said prop Gordon Reid, whose side faces a must-win game against host Japan in Yokohama Sunday.

“We have had worse weather — rain, hail, everything in one day. It doesn’t matter. It’s fine. We have coped well with a lot more.

“We are from Glasgow, from Ayrshire. We’re not as posh as some from Edinburgh, but we are from Scotland. We are used to this kind of thing. Whatever it is, rain or shine, snow, it doesn’t matter.”

I applaud his dig at Edinburgh, but the safety of the fans, as well as the players, needs to be taken into account.

You can track the progress of the typhoon here.

[sources:guardian&cnn]