South Africa
The last hurrah for a team known as the Springboks. From next year it looks as if they are going to be known as the Proteas, and their side will be mixed to politically determined levels. Rugby in the Republic has always been odd. So this makes it even more remarkable that Jake White has managed to build probably the best, and most balanced, Springbok side since readmission. All this after they were beaten 49-0 by Australia just over a year ago. Their pack is arguably the strongest on display in France, and there is no question they have the best (and dirtiest) locking combination. Added to that is Schalk Burger, every bit as athletic and cunning as Richie McCaw.

In the backs it becomes more muddled. Individually, particularly close in, they are as strong as anyone, and further out there is the brilliance of Bryan Habana and the underrated class of Percy Montgomery. But as a unit they prefer not to chance their arm, rather relying on a very efficient rush defence, and amazing ability to secure tries from intercepts. If the theory that White is holding back moves is correct, and the game plan can be changed once they get to France is true, then they are very serious contenders. The other thing against them is the perception that they get homesick when away from the Veld. Despite this, they are odds-on to top their group, and still be around come semi-final time.

England
Ah yes, the holders of the William Webb Ellis Trophy and the worst-performers of any World Cup holding team in any sport. Once Jonny Wilkinson put over that drop-goal in Sydney and the open-top bus tours around London finished, England began a rugby freefall - a sad, nostalgic period that is about to come to an overdue end. In the four years since the last World Cup, they have not made the top two of the Six Nations, and the focus has seemed to be around whether Wilkinson can get fit again, or whether Lawrence Dallaglio should be sacked, told to retire or brought back. They finally managed to get rid of Andy Robinson as coach, but by appointing Brian Ashton in his place they hardly addressed the issue.

The average age of the England squad is 29-plus, which in New Zealand is about the age players start looking for the French contract. That can be excused when the team is travelling well, like they were last time around, but this time it just looks sad. And to sum it up, you know you’re in trouble when you are picked to lose against South Africa because they have more attacking options. At least they will provide some comic moments this time around as teams take on Andy Farrell on the inside. Still, technique and experience is likely to see them get past Samoa, although they must be dreading the Tonga game. A quarter-final exit against Australia is likely to see the end of this turgid reign.

'The average age of the England squad is 29-plus, which in New Zealand is about the age players start looking for the French contract'


Samoa
Note how if looks like they have dropped the 'Manu' part to their name. In total contrast to England, Samoa have so far been the darlings of the World Cup, particularly in New Zealand and the UK. They physically smashed England in their World Cup match in 1995, and in 2003 came very close to beating the eventual winners, until fitness and the class of Wilkinson prevailed. England are not quite the same this time around, and this is the match that Samoa will target, in front of a Nantes crowd that will make it like a home game. There is some decent experience in this side, too. Brian Lima becomes the first player to appear in five rugby World Cups. And there are some familiar names for New Zealanders, too, in Justin Va’a, Filipo Levi, Semo Sititi, Steve So’oialo and Lome Fa’atau. And then there’s the coach, television icon Michael Jones. It is unlikely, but not impossible, that they will ignite the tournament by beating England in Nantes.

Tonga
The weakest and smallest of the Pacific Islands sides, Tonga will still have an impact on this group in more ways than one. In previous World Cups, the 'Friendly Isles' have not enjoyed a huge amount of success, but did enjoy roughing up John Hart’s All Blacks in 1999. Led by veteran university student Inoke Afeaki, this side is bound to make the headlines for a range of reasons. Their 'final' will almost certainly be the tournament's first-ever Pacific Islands derby clash against Samoa. Tonga will have had  Montpellier, September 16 etched in their minds since the draw was announced. It is worth remembering that they upset Fiji earlier in the year. This promises to be one of the most entertaining games in the pools. And any team coached by someone called Quddus Fielea deserves support.

USA
According to 'Mazzini' on the Sportsfreak forum, there are 31,000 schools in the USA playing ki-o-rahi. Perhaps that is a reason why their Rugby Union has stagnated. Professionalism has left Rugby Union behind in the land of funny sports. It is still California-based, and relies on the universities for players. Things have turned around to some extent since the appointment of Peter Thorburn as coach, and in fly-half Mike Hercus they have one player of true international class. Still, they are unlikely to register a win this time round, given they are not in the same group as their 'bunny', Japan.