Six shooter: Scotland's Chris Paterson converts one of his six penalties against Italy on Saturday
SAINT-ETIENNE, 29 September - Scotland clinched a quarter-final berth with an 18-16 victory against Italy in their final pool match at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard on Saturday.
The Scots had Chris Paterson's unerring boot to thank for their hard-fought victory.
The wing landed six penalties from six attempts to steer his side to a last-eight fixture against the winner of Pool D, with France, Argentina and Ireland all in the frame as potential opponents ahead of their final matches on Sunday.
Paterson booted four first-half penalties to give his team a 12-10 lead at the break, grabbing back the advantage for Scotland after a spirited Italy had opened a 10-6 lead despite being a man down.
Scotland started brightly, taking a 6-0 lead on five minutes after Paterson kicked a brace of penalties following Italy infringements in the ruck.
The Italians suffered a further setback minutes later when flanker Mauro Bergamasco received a yellow card for a tackling offence.
But the 14-man Azzurri hit back in style, snatching the lead from a converted Alessandro Troncon try after Scotland full back Rory Lamont spilled a big up-and-under close to his line.
David Bortolussi made it two from two on 18 minutes when he kicked a penalty to extend the Italians' lead after Scotland were called for coming in at the side of a ruck.
Paterson made it three from three on 32 minutes to narrow the margin to a solitary point after Italy conceded a penalty for a dangerous tackle, then added his fourth soon after.
Paterson picked up where he left off after the break, slotting another penalty on 47 minutes when Italy were punished for not staying on their feet in the ruck, and his sixth on 53.
As the rain came down, Italy pressed for a second try. Nathan Hines was sent to the sin bin on 55 minutes for a high tackle and Bortolussi landed the resulting penalty to reduce the margin to five points (18-13).
Bortolussi cut the gap to just three points with another penalty when Scotland conceded for collapsing a maul.
And the full back had the chance to put his side in sight of victory four minutes from time but he sliced his penalty attempt to the right of the upright.
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In the 2007 Rugby World Cup, Fiji and Scotland secured qualification to the knockout stage of the tournament with victories over Wales and Italy respectively. Elsewhere New Zealand defeated  Romania and Australia defeated Canada. Both New Zealand and Australia had already qualified for the following round.

In Pool B, Fiji defeated Wales 38-34 in a dramatic encounter. Stephen Jones opened the scoring for Wales with a penalty, but Fiji raced to a 25-3 lead with tries from Akapusi Qera, Vilimoni Delasau and Kele Leawere and two penalties from Nicky Little. Wales fought back and took the lead after 51 minutes after Alix Popham ,Shane Williams, Gareth Thomas  and Mark Jones each scored.

Nicky Little regained the lead for Fiji with two penalties, but Wales appeared to be heading to victory when Martyn Williams scored with seven minutes remaining. However Graham Dewes scored late on to snatch an extraordinary victory for Fiji to finish second in Pool B. Wales are knocked out of the tournament, but qualify automatically for the 2011 World Cup by finishing third in Pool B.

Australia, the winners of Pool B, beat Canada 37-6. An early penalty from Julian Huxley and tries from Al Baxter and Adam Freier gave Australia a 13-0 lead at half-time. James Pritchard scored two penalties for Canada, but  George Smith, Drew Mitchell (2) Chris Latham all scored tries to complete Australia's victory.

Fiji face South Africa in the quarter finals while Australia will play defending champions England in a repeat of the 2003 final.

Scotland defeated Italy 18-16 to secure their place in the quarter finals. Chris Paterson scored all of Scotland's points by kicking six penalties. Italy were leading twenty minutes into the match after Alessandro Troncon scored a try and David Bortolussi added a penalty. Chris Paterson ensured Scotland's passage into the next round by kicking six penalties out of six. David Bortolussi closed the gap to two points with two penalties, but Scotland held on to finish second in Pool C. Italy finish third and qualify for the next World Cup despite being eliminated from the tournament.

Pool C winners New Zealand scored thirteen tries as they comfortably defeated Romania 85-8. Marius Tincu scored Romania's only try of the match, while Florin Vlaicu added a penalty. Joe Rokocoko scored a hat-trick of tries for the All Blacks, and Sitiveni Sivivatu and Isaia Toeava scored two each.