KEY POINTS:
Two matches involving the Pacific Island teams stand out as potential thrillers.
The Pool A clash between Samoa and Tonga in Montpellier should be a beauty, the first time these fierce rivals have met in the World Cup finals.
The final Pool B game between Fiji and Wales in Nantes could be pivotal, a chance for the Fijians to cause an upset and advance to the quarter-finals for the first time since the inaugural 1987 tournament.
The plight of the Pacific Island countries remains the greatest stain on international rugby, which professes a desire to spread the game but has yet to find a way of promoting it in a bountiful region.
Not all the blame rests with the IRB and the powerful unions, of course. The island economies present a hurdle that is extremely difficult to overcome in building powerful national sides.
But the haves could undoubtedly do more for the have-nots, and a lot of lip service is directed the Pacific Islanders' way.
The All Blacks almost delight in snaring players of Pacific heritage, before quickly discarding some of them into international rugby's wasteland. And professional clubs around the world have often made it hard for Island players to join their national teams.
These three countries can, of course, always provide a heart-warming story or two, and this time the standout is Samoa's bone-crunching back Brian Lima, who will play in his fifth cup tournament.
Samoa will also make cup history, with Portugal, in having three brothers - Henry, Alesana and Anitelea Tuilagi - in the squad.
The Samoans also include Gavin Williams, son of All Black great Bryan Williams.
The Island countries hanker for more than these glad-handing anecdotes, though, and the tournament itself would thrive on a story to match Samoa's great exploits in the early 1990s.
A region that produces rugby's most exhilarating talent has failed to provide a quarter-finalist since the Samoan team led by present Auckland coach Pat Lam was well beaten in Johannesburg by eventual 1995 champions South Africa.
Samoa, for the second tournament in succession, are in the same pool as heavyweights South Africa and England. This is not a complete doom-and-gloom draw, though. The Samoans pushed 2003 champions England very hard before a crowd of 50,000 in Melbourne. However, in one of rugby's great ironies, they relied on a string of Earl Va'a penalties to compete against the England tries.
England are an inferior side this time, although with the advantage of playing in their home zone.
The Samoans fared best among the minnow nations at this year's Pacific Nations Cup. There has also been plenty of fighting talk from Samoan coach Michael Jones, the devout Christian whose side hold prayer meetings every day. Samoa's trump card is having Jones and fellow icon Peter Fatialofa at the helm - building belief and spirit will be the key.
Tonga look far less likely prospects, although historical rivalry means they are a hurdle for the Samoans. However, Tonga will also have to overcome the psychological scars of a 3-50 humbling in Apia this year.
Tonga, who qualified through a repechage win over Korea, had trouble naming their World Cup squad by the IRB deadline, which bodes ill.
They have a superb leader in Inoke Afeaki and a sprinkling of possible stars such as bulldozer hooker Aleki Lutui. But don't hold your breath on their account.
So Fiji, by virtue of being in a weak pool, may have the best chance of advancing past the group stage.
Fiji's greatest cup moment came when they almost skittled the French in 1999, before referee Paddy O'Brien skittled them. It was a rare strike against a leading nation and this time they won't trouble Australia, whose ability to dominate possession will totally frustrate the free-running Fijians. Expect a cricket score.
But if the Fijians can hold their act together against Japan and Canada - as they should - they might just force their way past Wales, who appear vulnerable.
Fiji, though, will be without star wing Rupeni Caucaunibuca because of a drug-related ban. It is a great shame that a player of such glorious appeal will be missing.
Discipline, fitness, composure and a knack for knowing when to explode will be the keys to the Islanders' hopes. A warning, though. Increased scrutiny has made it harder for their powerful players to intimidate the star sides.
Neutrals often rally to the Islanders' cause yet the biggest World Cup irony is this: Having mainly spurned these countries for so long, rugby bosses turn to them every four years in the hope they will provide the romance the world tournament craves. Those World Cup watchers are likely to be left broken-hearted this time.
