Rugby World Cup: Punters guide to the Webb Ellis Cup kick-off

The Stade De France will stage both the opening and closing of the showpiece.

Tournament favourites

In a curious twist, most of the real hot favourites to win the Rugby World Cup find themselves in either Pool A or Pool B of the tournament.

Of course, nobody can ever look beyond New Zealand when it comes to picking a Rugby World Cup winner.

The All Blacks are still a dominant force in world rugby even if there are now more teams vying for glory who have a realistic chance of taking home the Webb Ellis Cup.

A pre-tournament spanking at the hands of the Springboks will probably serve to galvanise the New Zealanders and fire them up ahead of a tricky group.

Despite being pooled with France, New Zealand shouldn't struggle to escape the group which also features Italy, Uruguay and Namibia.

France are the only team in international rugby to contest multiple Rugby World Cup finals and not win the title.

Playing at home France will have great support but will also be under tremendous pressure to perform having set high expectations with their home form over the last four years.

The big obstacles for both France and New Zealand will come once they get out of the group with both sides set for a tough last eight match.

France and New Zealand's Pool A is bracketed to face teams from the inarguable 'Group of Death' which contains not only the top two ranked teams in the world in Ireland and South Africa but a Scotland team that increasingly look like world-beaters.

The two quarterfinals that pit Pool A and Pool B contestants appear likely to cough up the two strongest contenders for the final and ultimate Rugby World Cup glory.

Ireland are ranked as world No 1 coming into the tournament, and even though they held the same status ahead of the tournament in Japan four years ago there is renewed hope that they will challenge for the title or at least break their Rugby World Cup quarter-final drought.

The Springboks cannot be written off as title contenders at any World Cup and they won the tournament when it was last staged in France, sparking an obsession with the French Horn which persists in parts of South Africa to this day.

Former champions Australia and England headline Pools C and D, but neither side have inspired a great deal of confidence in their ability to win the tournament and both might actually be ripe for early upsets and a possible early exit.

Rugby World Cup Pool winner predictions

Pool A opens with a contest between France and New Zealand and that clash is also likely to determine the ultimate group winner.

France face an All Blacks team who opted for fewer warm-up engagements than most other teams and playing at home they should get the jump on the three-time RWC winners.

Pool B might wind up being an incredible bunfight with three top teams in South Africa, Ireland and Scotland joined by dangerous dark horses Tonga and the hardnosed Romanians.

It appears that the Ireland clash with the Springboks will settle this section but Scotland may yet but in a big word. 

Even though Ireland are the form team, we are inclined to back the Springboks who have a team full of World Cup winners.

Wales and Australia appear early favourites to progress from Pool C despite both sides displaying worrying form ahead of the tournament.

To give those tier one nations even more sleepless nights they have been grouped with two of the best tier two nations in Fiji and Georgia who will be spoiling for scalps and a place in the last eight. 

Australia's talent pool is arguably the greatest of all these nations and they should somehow battle their way to the top of the pile.

Pool D might have looked quite tasty to England a few years if not months ago as they share a section with Argentina, Japan, Samoa and newcomers Chile.

England's recent form suggests they might struggle to get beyond Argentina, Japan and Samoa.

In fact, the true Pool D favourites might well be Argentina who continue to progress nicely under Michael Cheika.

Opening weekend

France vs New Zealand | Pick: France by six points

It's a Rugby World Cup opener on French soil against an All Blacks team who haven't had ideal preparation.

The All Blacks will get better as the tournament goes on but look likely to be caught cold here

 

Italy vs Namibia | Pick: Italy by 20 points

Namibia won't be able to slow this match down sufficiently to suit their style.

Italy should have them matched at the set piece and their backs will do the rest.

 

Ireland vs Romania | Pick: Ireland by 25 points

Romania will test the Irish scrum but that's about it.

Ireland should have far too much firepower.

 

Australia vs Georgia | Pick: Australia by 10 points

Australia will also have their setpiece proficiency examined on their opening day at the RWC.

However, they should have enough all-around quality under Eddie Jones to win this one.

 

England vs Argentina | Pick: Argentina by three points

England are ripe for the upset and Argentina know this well.

The Pumas have pushed the likes of South Africa and New Zealand this term and beaten Australia.

 

Japan vs Chile | Pick: Japan by 30 points

Japan get a chance to start their tournament on a big role as they face the minnows of the piece first up.

Expect entertaining rugby from Japan and heart from Chile.

 

South Africa vs Scotland | Pick: South Africa by five points

The Springboks haven't been able to look beyond this fixture and know this is a must-win for them.

Scotland have a good team but they remain erratic performers.

 

Wales vs Fiji | Pick: Wales by nine points

Wales face a Fiji side fresh off the back of an upset of England.

However, that upset means Wales will have them well-scouted and Warren Gatland will have a plan.