A tournament opener to get excited about, underdogs that will be full of confidence and how England can overcome their messy situation… Sir Clive Woodward’s World Cup lowdown

After what feels like weeks and months of preparation, planning and debate, the Rugby World Cup finally kicks off on Friday evening.

New Zealand and France will go head to head in the opener of the tournament in a bid to top Group A in what promises to be an exciting affair.

Meanwhile, countries such as Ireland, Scotland and Wales will try to secure qualification through their respective groups.

And as for England, it remains to be seen how they will react to their sad August campaign, but fans can still be optimistic about their chances.

So here, MailsportSir Clive Woodward’s gives an overview of all the groups in the Rugby World Cup.

GROUP A

Whoever wins Friday’s delightful tournament opener between hosts France and New Zealand will finish top of Group A. France has injury problems, but the whole country is behind them.

It could become an all-time classic as both teams play at such a ferocious pace. France and New Zealand have players – Antoine Dupont, Damian Penaud, Ardie Savea and Will Jordan – who will light up this World Cup.

Italy is improving and has a great player in Ange Capuozzo. They don’t have the ability to beat the big two, but the Azzurri will probably still finish third. Uruguay and Namibia will only bother the scorers when they play against each other.

GROUP B

This pool is ridiculous. Ireland, South Africa and Scotland rank first, second and fifth respectively in the world. Then throw in Tonga. It’s so competitive. Had Tonga been in a different pool they could have caused a shock after benefiting from the change in entry laws, but I don’t see them qualifying.

One big team will not reach the quarter-finals of this group and Scotland is in danger. Ireland is Six Nations Grand Slam champion. South Africa are defending champions and look even stronger than in 2019.

The Springboks have a terrifying physicality and iconic captain Siya Kolisi is back. Ireland and South Africa will qualify, but there should be some great matches.

GROUP C

This is wide open. Wales had a terrible Six Nations but should appreciate their chances of qualifying and in Warren Gatland they have a coach who knows what it takes in a World Cup. Australia have not won since Eddie Jones returned as head coach. Captain Will Skelton is their key figure.

Fiji are dark horses, but the loss of their flying half and leading light, Caleb Muntz, to injury is a blow. Georgia beat Wales last fall. They have a chance against Australia on Saturday, but I wonder if they can beat other teams as the tournament progresses given their lack of depth.

Two from Wales, Australia and Fiji will qualify and it is very difficult to predict as any of these three teams could very well beat each other.

Fiji recorded a famous victory over England last month and will be full of confidence.

GROUP D

England are going into the World Cup in quite a mess. As I have maintained this summer, their first game against Argentina looks like a World Cup final. It’s that big.

If you win that game, everyone will forget the woes of August’s campaign. But if you lose to the Pumas – which is quite possible given their attack – the pressure on head coach Steve Borthwick and his players will increase.

England is in the easiest half of the draw. They need to beat two from Argentina, Japan and Samoa to reach the last eight, where they would likely play one from Wales, Australia or Fiji to reach a semi-final.

Michael Cheika’s Pumas are the biggest threat. Japan is no longer the team it was four years ago and Samoa is dangerous but beatable. It is a first World Cup for minnows Chile.