Wales, Australia and England will need to improve on recent results if they are to be successful in France with the likes of Fiji and Argentina more than capable of progressing into the last eight.
Argentina head coach Michael Cheika insisted that his side will not be taking England lightly when the two teams lock horns with each other in the Rugby World Cup opener despite their indifferent form leading into the tournament.
Argentina fullback Juan Cruz Mallia has been handed a two-game ban following his dangerous tackle in the recently concluded Rugby Championship game against South Africa at Ellis Park.
With some of the top northern hemisphere sides kicking off their World Cup warm-up matches this weekend, their southern counterparts have already been in competitive action in The Rugby Championship.
South Africa head coach Jacques Nienaber has appointed Bongi Mbonambi as the captain for the Rugby World Cup warm-up game against Argentina to be played in Buenos Aires on Saturday.
South Africa head coach Jacques Nienaber has omitted fly-half Elton Jantjies from the 26-man squad that will travel to Argentina for the Rugby World Cup warm-up game.
South Africa managed to overcome a late surge from Argentina as they edged them out with a one-point victory at Ellis Park in Johannesburg on Saturday.
Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber has made nine changes to the side to take on Argentina in the third round of the Rugby Championship at Ellis Park on Saturday.
Argentina head coach Michael Cheika has urged his side to improve further despite a thrilling win over the Wallabies in the second round of the Rugby Championship in Sydney.
Juan Martin Gonzalez scored the decisive try in the closing stage as Argentina edged out Australia 34-31 in the second round of the Rugby Championship in Sydney.
Ahead of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series return to North American shores, former Eagles international and current World Rugby commentator Dallen Stanford has offered his insight on how the biggest show of rugby is shaping up.