The eighth Rugby World Cup will get underway on Friday evening as hosts England take on Fiji at Twickenham.
The bookmakers have made the Red Rose the second favourites to win the tournament behind New Zealand so they will be looking to get their campaign off to a positive start against the Pacific Islanders, who can boast some talented players among their 31-man squad.
England
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It may seem a little drastic, but this opening Pool A encounter already has a must-win feel about it from England's point of view.
It is widely regarded that along with Wales and Australia, Stuart Lancaster's men are in a three-horse race to nab one of the two available quarter-final berths. With that in mind, a defeat against Fiji, even at such an early stage, could be terminal for England's chances.
An 82,000 capacity crowd is expected at Twickenham, which also heaps added pressure on to the England team.
However, speaking recently to Sports Mole, 2003 World Cup winner Jason Robinson insisted that the players should use the significant support to their advantage: "Sometimes in games, just hearing that roar of the crowd when you're defending your own line, that can help to keep the attack out - it makes a massive difference to the players. That's why home advantage will hopefully mean a lot to the players."
Talking at a press conference earlier this week, it is a sentiment that Lancaster agreed with when he said: "Friday will be a great occasion for the whole squad and for the country. We are in a unique position to be playing in a World Cup on home soil and to have the support of a nation behind the team. That support will be a massive factor and we don't underestimate its importance."
They head into the encounter with the Fijians in positive form at Twickenham. Since the 31-28 defeat suffered at the hands of South Africa in November 2014, England have won all seven of their home international clashes.
Also, having lost their opening games at the World Cups in 1987 and 1991, they have won their first fixtures at the five tournaments that have followed.
Recent form: WWWWLW
Fiji
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There are those that believe Fiji have what it takes to upset the apple cart in Pool A, including Bob Dwyer, who coached Australia's world champions in 1991. He recently told the Rugby Paper: "Fiji are a serious threat. They are capable of one big result. That will ensure that whoever they beat won't get out of the Pool."
Wales will certainly need no reminding of the danger that Fiji pose, with the events of 2007 and that famous 38-34 victory in Nantes still fresh in the memory.
England will also be aware of the form that John McKee's men have shown in 2015. They have tasted defeat only once - to New Zealand Maori - and while some will point to the fact that there has been a lack of top-tier opposition, it is still a record that should be respected. After all, earlier this year McKee looked on as his side lifted the World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup - a tournament which Samoa were expected to win.
The head coach has certainly taken every step to ensure that his team will be ready for the atmosphere that they are likely to encounter in South-West London. He told reporters: "We had a little bit of a strategy earlier in the campaign in Fiji - we had a PA system playing crowd noise and the sounds from Twickenham.
"That was part of our preparation. It was the normal crowd noise from Twickenham that was taken off some of the footage. It was good in those sessions, it affected the intensity of the training. It's hard to hear calls and the communication in the game."
Fiji will also have the comfort of the home dressing room at Twickenham and their traditional white strip following a coin toss between the two managers last year. That means England will be wearing their red change of kit in the role as the away team.
Recent form: WLLLWW
Team News
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There was no surprise when the news broke earlier in the week that Lancaster had decided to stick with the same XV that started the recent 21-13 win over Ireland.
As a result, George Ford has beaten off competition from Owen Farrell for the number 10 jersey, while Geoff Parling has been preferred to Joe Launchbury at lock.
Ben Morgan has been given the nod at number eight, with Ben Youngs also included on what will be his 50th appearance for England.
As for Fiji, there are three British-based players in their starting lineup. Leicester's Vereniki Goneva, Bath's Nikola Matawalu, and Glasgow's Leone Nakarawa will all feature from the beginning, with the bench being beefed up by the presence of Ospreys fly-half Josh Matavesi, London Irish winger Asaeli Tikoirotuma and Worcester lock Tevita Cavubati.
England starting lineup:
Mike Brown, Anthony Watson, Jonathan Joseph, Brad Barritt, Jonny May, George Ford, Ben Youngs; Joe Marler, Tom Youngs, Dan Cole, Courtney Lawes, Geoff Parling, Tom Wood, Chris Robshaw, Ben Morgan
Fiji starting lineup:
Metuisela Talebula; Waisea Nayacalevu, Vereniki Goneva, Gabiriele Lovobalavu, Nemani Nadolo; Ben Volavola, Nikola Matawalu; Campese Ma'afu, Sunia Koto, Manasa Saulo, Apisalome Ratuniyarawa, Leone Nakarawa, Dominiko Waqaniburotu, Akapusi Qera, Sakiusa Masi Matadigo
Head To Head
As far as the previous meetings between these two nations go, England have been the dominant force.
They have won all five of the contests, with an aggregate score of 210-83.
Just one of those games has come at a World Cup, 16 years ago when Jonny Wilkinson's boot contributed 23 points of England's 45-25 win at Twickenham.
We say: England 24-15 Fiji
First matches are often nervy affairs and that could well be the case for England. They should have enough quality to win through, but it would be unwise to expect Fiji to be pushovers.
Liam Apicella
