With our team out in Japan and surveying all the runners and riders up close and personal we asked them a simple question – who is going to hoist the Webb Ellis Cup?

PAUL EDDISON

World Cup winners: South Africa

Basing any prediction on form in the build-up to the tournament is dangerous. There is a reason no team has ever won the Rugby Championship and the World Cup in the same year.

And yet, I find myself drawn in by the way South Africa have played under Rassie Erasmus and the sheer depth at their disposal.

They are not perfect, but unlike pretty much every other team in the tournament, there will be no psychological barrier when it comes to facing New Zealand. They beat the All Blacks on the road last year, got another draw away from home this year and will very much fancy their chances in the opening meeting on Saturday.

There are two things that could yet derail the South African bid. Were the Eben Etzebeth affair to explode then that could have a major impact, even in a team with almost unrivalled depth at lock.

And more concerning is the total reliance on Handre Pollard. Elton Jantjies does not appear to have the total trust of the coaches, to the point that Francois Steyn’s versatility is getting him a place on the bench ahead of the Lions man.

But in truth, if Pollard goes down, he probably takes South Africa’s chances with him. Stay fit however, and they have probably the best pack in the tournament, a trio of great scrum-halves with different skillsets, and some of the most dangerous back three players in the tournament. That seems like a combination that could see them win it all.

It's tough to say goodbye. #WebbEllisCup #RWC2019 pic.twitter.com/o4WBV6SaiQ
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) September 20, 2019

CHARLIE TALBOT-SMITH

World Cup winners: New Zealand

It might not be the sexiest of picks, considering they are the two-time defending champions and bookies’ favourites once more.

But for the first time since that nervy 2011 win on home soil, the All Blacks arrive on the biggest stage of all as potential rather than probable winners with question marks everywhere.

No longer are they the world’s No.1 side, in the rankings at least, their strongest XV remains a mystery to all but probably Steve Hansen and their best player in Brodie Retallick is fighting to be fit in time.

But, and it’s a big but, no-one knows how to navigate a World Cup quite like Hansen.

The All Blacks can even afford to slip up in their opener against South Africa and still be guaranteed to make the quarter-finals.

And once you get to the knockout stages, the World Cup becomes a different beast altogether and you can bet your bottom dollar Hansen will have his side peaking at the right time.

Simply put, I can’t see anyone else beating them when it matters most. They have won too much, for too long and no other side has proven they have what it takes to wrestle their crown from them.

But if you want an outside pick, I do fancy Wales to go very far this year – maybe all the way to Yokohama and the final on November 2.

Beat Australia – as they did last autumn – and they should get an eminently winnable quarter-final against France or Argentina.

From there momentum will build, Warren Gatland will relish his farewell, and in knockout rugby with their well-drilled defence, it will take something very special to down them.

📹The @rugbyworldcup kicks off in Japan this evening and Wales have made the journey up to Toyota ahead of their opening game against Georgia on Monday pic.twitter.com/m5tNTqc3Hk
— Welsh Rugby Union 🏉 (@WelshRugbyUnion) September 20, 2019

RICHARD DORE

World Cup winners: Ireland

I’m of course tempted by New Zealand, but you just don’t get teams winning three World Cups on the trot.

My head is swayed by the Springboks, but I don’t like the over-reliance on Handre Pollard – it’s not beyond the realm of possibilities that he’ll see some heavy All Blacks tackles on day two of the tournament.

Leading me to Ireland, and largely on the basis Joe Schmidt.

Ireland have never been beyond the quarter-finals before, true, but they’ve also never had a head coach as successful as Schmidt before, with three Guinness Six Nations and last year’s Grand Slam in his locker.

They also have James Ryan and Bundee Aki, two men who are playing exceptional rugby at present and are set to take the World Cup by storm.

Ireland are not in great form, but you know Schmidt has 337 previously unrevealed tactics up his sleeve. The 2018 confidence may not be there but Ireland are significantly stronger than their pool and after four wins that flow will come surging back – the same 2018 confidence that powered them past New Zealand.

Also, do you really think Johnny Sexton is going to go gently into the night? Think again.