Dewi Morris previews the Rugby World Cup and selects the teams he believes will make it out of their pools and into the quarter-finals
Finally we are here and the World Cup is about to kick off. It seems like we have been talking about it for ages but on Friday night we get to see our teams in action.
I genuinely feel there are so many teams who can go on and win this competition - the usual suspects will be there but I think there are plenty of potential banana skins for the big teams and I am really looking forward to seeing how it all unfolds.
So before a ball is passed or a tackle is made, here are the teams who I think will be getting out of their pools.
Pool A: England, Australia, Wales, Fiji, Uruguay
I believe England and Australia are going to come out on top. I would like to think that England have got enough to top this pool - although they are going into the unknown as a group of players.
Will they be able to handle the pressure? I just feel that they will be too formidable up front and as long as they don't try anything too flamboyant I reckon they will top this pool.
It's a tough one - especially with Wales but I feel that without Leigh Halfpenny, they will suffer. I know that Dan Biggar's percentages are phenomenal but in the white-hot arena of the World Cup, they will miss Halfpenny's metronomic boot.
There is just a little more power in England's pack and a little more spark in Australia's backs.
England have lot of power, and a lot of power to come off the bench. As far as creativity goes I still believe they are lacking something at 12 but they will opt for a more defensive pattern rather than an offensive one.
I'm backing Australia to also qualify. Under Michael Cheika they have found a scrum and I saw enough in the Rugby Championship to convince me that they will get enough ball to let loose their amazing backs.
Australia also have some superb back-rowers - David Pocock and Michael Hooper are just pure class and will play a huge role in Australia's campaign.
We know what their backs can do and I think the Wallabies will be a challenge for anyone.
Pool B: South Africa, Scotland, Samoa, Japan, USA
There has been talk of some unrest in the South Africa camp but the Springboks are one heck of an obstinate animal.
They have a great belief and although they are an ageing squad, they have so much experience and will be formidable opponents.
Their power comes from their brutal forwards, and although they may have struggled a bit against Argentina in the Rugby Championship, if they are at full strength then they are very imposing. I expect them to dominate this group.
Scotland can also qualify for the quarter-finals. I have been very impressed with the way Vern Cotter has turned this team around.
The Scots had an abysmal Six Nations but they have a good team spirit and although they face some very physical tests against the Boks, Samoa and USA, I reckon Cotter's nous will be enough for them to get second in this pool.
Pool C: New Zealand, Argentina, Tonga, Georgia, Namibia
New Zealand are the team to beat and it is theirs to lose. On their day they play this game faster and better than anyone else. Their skill set in the whole squad is extraordinary, no matter if you are a prop or a scrum-half.
It's likely to be the last hurrah for two of the best players I have ever seen in Dan Carter and Richie McCaw. I was lucky to play against one of the best No 7s in Michael Jones and had the privilege to watch probably the best ever in McCaw.
We will have to see if the All Blacks go on to make history by lifting back-to-back World Cups but they will certainly top this group.
Argentina will also emerge from Pool C. They are a great side and their win against South Africa showed what they are capable of.
They need to be more consistent but I think that comes with more time together and we will see them getting better and better.
Argentina play the game with a lot of passion and although their players are based all over the world, once they pull on that Pumas shirt, they are united and a very good side indeed.
Pool D: France, Ireland, Italy, Canada, Romania
Ireland and France will battle for honours in this pool, and I believe Les Bleus will come out on top despite the madness of my old pal Philippe Saint-Andre.
France do nothing outside of World Cups but seem to thrive in the tournament. It will hinge on how Frederic Michalak performs. He can be brilliant on one day and horrendous the next.
There seems to be a real appetite from France - their pack is superb and if Louis Picamoles is not the best No 8 in the world then he is very close to it. They have the talent and I think that their immense pack will be the difference between them and Ireland.
Don't right off Ireland just because they have lost a few games though - Joe Schmidt is one of the best coaches out there and he will have them prepared.
With no disrespect to Italy and Canada, who will be competitive, Schmidt's plan is to peak for France. It may well unravel but with the likes of Paul O'Connell on the world stage for a final time I just don't see it happening.
As I said, I suspect that France's forwards will win it for them against Ireland but expect the Irish to push them all the way and to also qualify from this group.