The 2015 Rugby World Cup kicks off in England on 19 September with the hosts taking on Fiji at Twickenham. Some 20 nations will take part in the eighth edition of the tournament, with hosts England joined by the other home nations Wales, Scotland and Ireland, as well as reigning champions New Zealand.

These teams are initially separated into four pools of five teams, with each side playing each other and the top two progressing from their pool to the knockout stage. The final will take place on 31 October at Twickenham.

But which nation will emerge victorious? IBTimes UK sport editor Nick Howson takes us through his favourites for the tournament, how far England will progress, and which stars will emerge over the next six weeks.