Can Australia do it again? Or will the All Blacks make it three in a row? Or can the Europeans - maybe the Irish - break the southern hemisphere’s dominance?
This is the ninth Rugby World Cup and while New Zealand are rightly favourites again, someone might spring a surprise. We hope.
The Kiwis begin their campaign with a heavyweight clash against South Africa, 2015 finalists Australia face Fiji, while France and Argentina kick off Pool C with a highly anticipated contest.
New Zealand are aiming to lift the Webb Ellis Cup for a record-extending fourth time after their triumph in 2015. That victory moved them ahead of their southern hemisphere rivals Australia and South Africa, who have each won the tournament twice.
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Japan is hosting the Cup, the first time that the showpiece has been held in Asia, outside rugby’s traditional heartlands.
The Cherry Blossoms - who shocked South Africa at the 2015 Cup in England - will open the tournament against Russia in Tokyo on September 20.
A total of 48 matches will be played at 12 venues over six weeks, with the final taking place at Nissan Stadium in Yokohama on November 2.
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