Dafydd Pritchard
BBC Sport Wales in Dublin

Their hopes of reaching the semi-finals are long gone, but Wales still have something to play for in their final Pool A match against Hong Kong.

Wales are now hoping to reach the play-offs to decide fifth to eighth places.

To do that, they’ll need a bonus-point win and a big margin of victory against Hong Kong. Failure to do so would mean Wales contesting the play-offs for ninth to 12th places.

Wales' players and coaches have been at pains to point out that they won’t be taking the World Cup newcomers lightly but, having conceded 219 points in their previous two matches, Hong Kong should be there for the taking.

France and Ireland sit at the top of the table - both unbeaten in their two pool games.

The winner of that clash will qualify for the semi-finals.

The loser, well if it's France, they could still qualify. They would need to surpass USA's tally of 11 points.

And if Ireland lose? They're out.

Australia and Japan are playing for a shot in the fifth-eighth place play-offs.

Onto Pool B.

England booked their spot in the semi-finals with a 47-26 victory over USA and remain unbeaten in the tournament.

USA snatched a bonus point and are in contention for the final semi-finals spot, which goes to the best-placed runner-up.

Their progression to the next round hinges on the result of France against Ireland later.

Earlier today Spain beat Italy and are now in with a shout of making the playoffs for fifth-eighth place.

I'm back, tea in hand.

Let's start with a quick look at the tables to get our heads around this qualifying system.

Pool A is pretty simple.

New Zealand have won the group and qualified for the semi-finals with three wins out of three.

Canada are second, but their nine points will not be enough to secure the best-runners-up spot.

Wales can only reach the play-offs to decide fifth to eighth place.

They face World Cup newcomers Hong Kong, who are yet to score a point in the tournament.

Right, time for a cuppa. Who's making?

I'll be taking a quick break but join me at 17:00 BST for build up to Wales v Hong Kong - the second live game of the day.

Ta-ra for now.

USA captain Tiffany Faaee speaking to ITV:

"We knew we could hang in there and if we played our game we could come through.

"It was hard not to focus on what's happening off the field but when Kristen hit her stride we knew we were in.

"We will just have to sit tight and wait out the France v Ireland game."

Image source, Rex Features

If you didn't get the chance to read my live commentary of England's victory over the USA... then scroll down.

Alternatively, you can read James Standley's report here, which will be much more succinct.

Image source, Rex Features

England captain and number eight Sarah Hunter speaking to ITV:

"We wanted to come out and impose ourselves, get a foothold in the game and get momentum. We did that at the beginning of both halves but we've got areas to work on.

"It was about getting out of the pool stages so job done."

I'll be bringing you all the reaction to England's victory over the USA, AND build-up to Wales' clash with Hong Kong.

Multi-tasking at its finest.

Don't go anywhere.

England secured their bonus point inside the first 30 minutes at Billings Park and did enough early-on to secure safe passage through to the final four.

The world champions are still on course to retain their title after a scintillating attacking display.

There were a few lapses in concentration late on in defence, but USA's runners deserve credit. They carved open the defence and that late score could have earned a semi-final date with New Zealand.

That's one game down, two to go.

England are into the semi-finals.

They top their pool and join New Zealand as the second team through to the last four.

Image source, PA

USA with a nice period of possession, they're working hard with a minute left to play.

They're very eager but that fourth try might just elude them.

A nervous wait for then for the USA as they wait on the result of France against Ireland later on this evening.

All a bit scrappy here now and plenty of handling errors as this one trundles towards 80 minutes.

England have this one wrapped up and seem to have one eye on the semi-final.

England captain Sarah Hunter is burrowing her way out of a hole here for England.

Her side are stuck in their 22 but England find the clearing kick as USA come again.

Wing Kristen Thomas tries a chip kick but it's very messy and she knocks on.

She's then wrapped up by Hunter and England have the scrum.

Over at the UCD Bowl, Spain are playing Italy in the other Pool B clash and it's Spain leading 10-3 at the moment.

Meanwhile at Billings Park, England are defending desperately as USA hunt their fourth score.

Kristen Thomas is held up out wide and the Eagles eventually knock the ball on.

So as is stands, England will qualify as the winners of Pool B and secure their place in the semi-final.

They will face either France or Ireland, who play later today.

The USA could still qualify though as the best-placed runners-up - they sit on 10 points.

If Ireland fail to beat France, the USA will play New Zealand in the semis.

Complicated, I know.

England need to be careful now as they concede a penalty on half-way for a side entry.

USA have picked up the tempo in this game and are going in search of that fourth try.

15 minutes to play here at Billings Park in Dublin.

Hooker Vicky Fleetwood, who joined the squad after staying back in England to receive treatment for a minor knee injury, comes on for her first appearance of the tournament.

Amy Cockayne, after an excellent performance, gets a well-earned rest.