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Which team will happily depart New Zealand with the Rugby World Cup in their possession?

The seventh edition of the Rugby World Cup is upon us and we are offering you the chance to predict each match and win some fantastic prizes. Before you get started with your picks, here is some background to rugby's showpiece event.

Taking place in New Zealand, it promises to be one of the most open World Cups yet. The home side are favourites but with their history of collapse in the later stages, no All Black fan will be booking the celebration party just yet.

As for their fellow Southern Hemisphere giants, defending champions South Africa have looked shaky during the Tri-Nations but with their first-choice squad available expect a much stronger challenge come the tournament.

Domestically, Australian rugby has had a fantastic 12 months and there is an exciting crop of new players ready to upset the party of their close neighbours and old rivals.

Looking to the Northern Hemisphere, England, the recent World Cup specialists, are in confident mood and managed by their legendary ex-skipper, Martin Johnson. However, as the Six Nations decider in Dublin proved, it may be a tournament too early for his emerging young side. There are also questions to be answered over their cutting edge in attack.

The French, who knows? All the flair, all the style, all the arrogance - they have often promised to go all the way but always seem to be knocked-out by England.

Injury problems concern the rugby-mad nation of Wales, however recent tournaments have shown that it's likely to be a roller-coaster ride for Warren Gatland's side who are equally capable of reaching the semi-finals as going out in the group stage.

Ireland are coming to the end of their own 'golden generation' with Brian O'Driscoll, Ronan O'Gara, Geordan Murphy and Paul O'Connell all likely to bow out of World Cup rugby in New Zealand. Would be popular winners and they still possess the ability to make a mark on the big stage as proved by Leinster's conquering of Europe in 2010/11.

The poor old Scots, often the whipping boys of European rugby and may wish to locate the try-line before clashes with Argentina and England. Will, however, fancy their chances of turning over the old enemy.

Italy face an uphill task to get out of the group stage but will want to send coach Nick Mallet off on a high.

Argentina approach the tournament in confident mood and with aspirations of matching their fantastic run to the semi-finals in 2007. Physicality mixed with flair and naivety means they are the side no one wants to meet.

As for the other sides, most face real battles to make any mark on the event, however Samoa will fancy their chances of making it out of Pool D at Wales' expense and both Tonga and Fiji will be looking for at least one major scalp each.

So now you decide who will emerge victorious in New Zealand at this summer's Rugby World Cup. Each pick will increase in value as the tournament progresses, so choose wisely. Good luck and may your favorite team avoid an early defeat.

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