The Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) has lashed out at British rugby journalist Stephen Jones over an article in The Sunday Times.
Jones claimed that both New Zealand and Irish unions were against any rescheduling for the Japan v Scotland test, because of bad blood between the IRFU and its Scottish counterpart.
But the IRFU denies these allegations.
"The statement by Stephen Jones in today's edition of The Sunday Times [October 14, 2019] referring to The Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) being 'vehemently opposed' to any rearrangement of the Scotland v Japan Rugby World Cup fixture is completely false and the inference within the article that the IRFU made representations to World Rugby on the matter is totally without foundation.
"The Irish Rugby Football Union calls on Stephen Jones to immediately withdraw this scurrilous and untrue allegation."
The match between Japan and Scotland in Yokohama had been in doubt due to Typhoon Hagibis, but was given the green light, eight hours before kickoff.
Japan went on to win the match 28-21, which saw them qualify for the quarter-finals for the first time.
The result means Ireland finish second in Pool A and have a date with the All Blacks on Saturday in the quarter-finals.
Essential Guide to 2019 Rugby World Cup
Everything you need to know about rugby and the World Cup...
The ninth Rugby World Cup kicks off on September 20 in Japan - the first time it has been hosted in Asia.
Join us for live updates of all Rugby World Cup quarter-finals next weekend.
Newshub.
