Join host Alex Chapman with special guests Buck Shelford, Leon MacDonald & Michaela Blyde as they present the latest RWC news and preview the epic All Blacks v South Africa encounter. VIDEO/AP/Mark Mitchell
The 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan is almost upon us, and it is set to be arguably the most open edition ever, with around half a dozen sides theoretically contenders for the Webb Ellis trophy.
We have given our Telegraph Sport rugby columnists the tough task of making their pre-tournament predictions, while the majority are optimistic for England's chances, they have found it challenging to look beyond a southern hemisphere victor.
Austin Healey
Winner: New Zealand
I think New Zealand will win the World Cup unless England can manufacture a second place in the group. If England lose to France in the final game they go into the better side of the draw become eventual winners.
Runners-up is a really difficult one to call. I think the likelihood is either New Zealand or South Africa - the Springboks look good at the right time.
Top try scorer: Jonny May
May will be the top try scorer with seven as Eddie Jones seems to like to play him in every game, and England should score a lot of tries in the opening two matches.
Scotland are the dark horses for me under Gregor Townsend, if they beat Ireland in the pool stage I could see them defeating South Africa in the quarter-finals.
How England will do
Everybody is talking them up and they have all the components to go all the way. I would just prefer that they met New Zealand in the final rather than the semi-finals and avoided Wales if at all possible. Whilst I never like losing to France, I think this could be the time.
Will Greenwood
Winner: South Africa
Power, pace, a great goalkicker and lineout gurus. Springboks look the full package.
Runner-up: England
Will just come up short having knocked out New Zealand in the semi-final!!
Top try-scorer: Makazole Mapimpi (South Africa)
Seven in the pool stages will put him beyond the reach of most…
They'll do epically well and end up as losing finalists, though I hope I'm wrong about getting beaten by South Africa in the final. Keep the Vunipolas fit and there's no reason why we can't win the whole thing.
Springboks players celebrate a try during a Rugby Championship match against Argentina. Photo / Photosport
Sir Ian McGeechan
Winner: New Zealand
Far from invincible but the All Blacks will have learnt lessons from recent defeat by Australia and draw in South Africa. Still the team to beat.
I can see Jonny filling his boots against Tonga and the USA if he gets to start, though I'd also keep an eye out for Reece Hodge of Australia and Sevu Reece of New Zealand.
Dark horse: Fiji
They could cause some serious damage, particularly with the likes of Leone Nakarawa and Vereniki Goneva fit and firing. They're very dangerous when they get going.
How England will do:
They will get to the semi-final against New Zealand, start well and take the lead but I fear they will fade in the second half and slip to a narrow defeat. But I hope I'm wrong!
The Pacific Island teams have greater chance to flourish at a World Cup as it is the only opportunity they really have to train together.
How will England do:
The return to fitness of Manu Tuilagi allied to the ball-carrying punch of the Vunipola brothers as well as Kyle Sinckler make England so powerful.
England's Joe Cokanasiga in action against Ireland. Photo / Photosport
Gavin Mairs
Winner: England
This looks likely to be the World Cup where power is the decisive factor which is why I think England and South Africa will be the most dangerous, and with New Zealand's patchy form in the Rugby Championship, Eddie Jones's side can win it.
If England, as expected win their pool, they will avoid New Zealand in the semi-finals if South Africa top their pool. New Zealand however should still make the final.
Top try scorer: Jacob Stockdale
The Ulster wing appears to score tries for fun and if he continues his potent beginning to his Test career could score a hatful in the pool stages.
Dark horse: Wales
As reigning Grand Slam champions, who would wager a bet against Warren Gatland's side being the second northern hemisphere side to lift the Webb Ellis cup?
There is an air of uncertainty about England's hopes, but their power and attacking options suggests that this year is their best chance to win the World Cup since 2003.
Daniel Schofield
Winner: New Zealand
Talk of their demise is premature. Still loaded with talent and crucially the experience of winning back-to-back World Cups.
Runner-up: South Africa
Winning the Rugby Championship in a World Cup year means little, but are still making huge strides under Rassie Erasmus.
Wales head coach Warren Gatland. Photo / Photosport
Tom Cary
Winner: South Africa
New Zealand can still lift their game to a level that others cannot. But they're beatable. It feels like the Springboks are peaking at the right time.
Runner-up: England
Eddie Jones' team are well capable of beating any team on their day. But they can lose their heads when they can't overpower opponents.
Dark horse: Ireland
After the year they've had - and their World Cup history record - a win for Ireland would be a major surprise. If they keep key players fit and play to their potential…
A semi-final loss to either South Africa or New Zealand after some bulldozing wins the pool stages
George Bridge. Photo / Photosport
Ben Coles
Winner: New Zealand
Don't be fooled by the All Blacks' struggles, they will peak for the Rugby World Cup, squeezing past England in a blockbuster semi-final.
Runner-up: Wales
This is it for Warren Gatland, so you imagine something has been held back to surprise Australia in the groups. Argentina or France, then South Africa, await beyond.
Not as flashy as Sevu Reece, his All Blacks team-mate, but Bridge is rapid, a potent finisher and can also feature at full-back. Could be a breakout star.
Dark horse: Argentina
Choosing between them or France to finish up behind England in Pool C is toss of a coin, but the Pumas thrived four years ago and are stronger after Super Rugby.
How England will do:
Semi-finals (loss to NZ). No shame in this, but while England are clearly good enough to knock off France, Argentina and Australia, the All Blacks are a different beast.
The Springboks have peaked at just the right moment - they will beat a New Zealand side not as mentally resilient compared with the 2011 and 2015 World Cup winning sides in the pool stages, before dispatching of Ireland and Wales en route to the final.
Runners-up: England
While Wales and Ireland have both reached world No1 in the past month, England like the South Africans have the ballast and may also have a defence that performs rather better than their Celtic rivals in the vital moments.
Top try scorer: Jonny May (England)
Key to England's run to final will be Jonny May's prolific try scoring - particularly the brace I believe he will score against France that will end up being the difference between the two sides in the pool stages.
The opening game against Australia could potentially be the Fijians' chance to put their mark on the tournament. If Australia coach Michael Cheika does opt for a more open style of play that could play into the Fijians' hands. Surprise quarterfinalists.
How England will do:
A run to the final is dependent on the fitness of key players, none more so than Owen Farrell. If the skipper stays fit (along with the Vunipolas) then he can guide his side into an attritional final, where they will miss out by a score.
Richard Bath
Winner: New Zealand
Far from a classic All Blacks side but they avoid South Africa until the final and have good strength in depth.
