Another piece of Rugby World Cup history could be made on Saturday, February 27 with Russia just one win away from realising their target of qualifying for the sport's showpiece tournament for the first time ever.

Russia will secure their place at New Zealand 2011 with victory over Romania in Sochi, a result which will guarantee them a minimum of 24 points in the European Nations Cup 2010 - a figure unobtainable by either Romania or Portugal.

They will qualify as either Europe 1 or 2 - ENC champions or runners-up -although which one and therefore their place in Pool B or C is unlikely to be decided until they meet Georgia on neutral soil in Turkey on March 20.

Georgia currently lead the standings by a single point from Russia as the only unbeaten side in the competition spanning two years and can also confirm their place at RWC 2011 by beating Spain in Tbilisi.

A repeat of the Lelos' 55-11 victory when they met in Madrid a year ago will ensure defending European Nations Cup champions Georgia will accumulate at least 25 points, even if they lose their final two games to Romania and Russia.

RWC 2011 will be the third consecutive tournament that Georgia have qualified for, having made their debut in Australia in 2003 and picked up a first win - over Namibia - four years later as well as giving Ireland a huge scare in losing 14-10.

The battle will then be on to determine who joins Argentina, 2003 winners England, Scotland and the Play-off winner in Pool B at RWC 2011 (Europe 1) or two-time champions Australia, Ireland, Italy and USA in Pool C (Europe 2).

This would also leave Portugal and Romania - an ever present on the World Cup stage - going head to head to keep alive their RWC 2011 dreams by securing third spot in the division.

They would then face either Lithuania or the Division 2A winner for the right to enter the cross-continental play-off, where they will have to beat Tunisia to earn the right to play Uruguay or the Asian Five Nations runner-up to determine the 20th and final qualifier for RWC 2011.

Romania do have a game in hand after the postponement of their encounter with Spain, but by the time that is played on March 27 in Bucharest the Oaks' dream could have ended if they lose to Portugal the week before.

However if Georgia and Russia were to suffer surprise defeats on home soil then the race to secure Europe's two direct qualification berths would be thrown wide open, especially if Portugal also overcome Germany in Heusenstamm on Saturday.

Rugby World Cup 2011 Pools Pool A: New Zealand, France, Tonga, Canada, Asia 1 (Asian Five Nations winner)

Pool B: Argentina, England, Scotland, Europe 1 (European Nations Cup winner), Play-Off winner

Pool C: Australia, Ireland, Italy, USA, Europe 2 (European Nations Cup runner-up) Pool D: South Africa, Wales, Fiji, Samoa, Namibia

Results from the qualifying process can be found on the official RWC 2011 website at www.rugbyworldcup.com.