The top two teams of each pool were placed against each other in two head-to-head rounds.

The second placed teams of each pool were placed against each other in two ties.

The four first teams of each pool and the better fourclassified fifth were qualified for the "last 32".

The first two team of each pool were directly admitted to the quarter finals.

The second placed teams of each pool were placed against each other in a tie.

The first placed teams of each pool played in a head-to-head round.

The second placed teams of each pool played in a head-to-head round to find the third and fourth placed teams.

The top team of each pool progressed to Group II for 2009.

The top three teams of each pool have automatically qualified for the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

The top team of each pool was placed against each other in a head-to-head round.