Celts will be playing for some history too

Wales and Ireland will play for more than just a place in the Rugby World Cup semifinals tomorrow; they will attempt to rewrite history.

The two Celtic nations have a rich rugby history, but a poor one at the World Cup.

The Irish have never advanced beyond a quarterfinal, having reached it four times.

Wales claimed third place at the inaugural World Cup in 1987, but have achieved nothing better than Ireland since then.

Ireland have won nine out of their last 12 tests against Wales but were beaten 19-13 when the teams last met in Cardiff in the Six Nations in March.

England have selected Toby Flood at inside centre for tomorrow's second quarterfinal.

Flood is expected to improve England's playmaking options against France and comes in for the injured Mike Tindall.

France are more concerned about erasing the memory of their defeat by Tonga last week than taking revenge for successive World Cup semifinal defeats by England.

England flyhalf Jonny Wilkinson, who plays against France again tomorrow, was instrumental in victories over the French at the 2003 and 2007 World Cups.

All Blacks wing Zac Guildford is unlikely to be fit to face Argentina in Sunday's quarterfinal but captain Richie McCaw will play at Eden Park despite a sore foot.

Guildford suffered a hamstring injury in training. Cory Jane and Richard Kahui are likely to start on the wings with Sonny Bill Williams offering cover across the outside backline from the bench. The team was due to be named today.

Captain Felipe Contepomi and hooker Mario Ledesma are sure to become the first Argentines to play in three Rugby World Cup quarterfinals when they meet the All Blacks on Sunday.

Prop Martin Scelzo hopes he'll join them, but he is not as certain of being selected as the other two.