Rugby World Cup 2015 preview: Favourites New Zealand look unbeatable

The waiting is almost over; the Rugby World Cup kicks off this weekend as the best teams go head-to-head to lift the Webb Ellis Trophy. England play host to this eighth edition, while New Zealand arrive as holders and determined to keep a grip on their crown.

Southern Hemisphere outfit the All Blacks are massive favourites to win the competition again, and in the process become the first nation ever to win successive titles.

Holders New Zealand are a 5/4 price with Coral to be World Cup winners again and, with the amount of top-quality talent at their disposal, it would be no surprise should they come out on top. Steve Hansen’s men have won this tournament on two previous occasions but never away from home.

England must be feeling the pressure of being the host nation. Stuart Lancaster’s side are 4/1 to grab a second title. However, their first task will be getting out of what is probably the hardest World Cup pool in history.

The Red Rose will have to better either Wales or Australia just to make it to the quarter-finals. They will look to the fact that three of the seven host nations have won this tournament in the past.

Only three teams have beaten New Zealand since their win in 2011; they are England, Australia and South Africa. The Springboks are second in the world rankings, but have suffered four successive losses this year, which is hardly great preparation for this showpiece.