WillGreenwood

With the England team announced and their opening fixture approaching, the players will be desperate to get out there. There's always a degree of apprehension because of the importance of a good start at the World Cup but, overall, you want to get on with the job at this point.

Teams that win the World Cup usually have a failed campaign or two behind them and this England squad boasts a positive mix of experience and youth. There are players like Jonny Wilkinson and Mike Tindall who know what it's like to lift the Webb Ellis Trophy, players such as Andrew Sheridan and Nick Easter who lost the final four years ago, and there are the likes of Delon Armitage and Manu Tuilagi for whom this is a first campaign. For older players, this is a final shot at glory; for the youngsters, it's a chance to take world rugby by storm.

On the subject of Tuilagi - who will wear my old number 13 shirt - I believe that he is the right man to partner Tindall in the centre. This is the combination that England have been looking for and the pair will complement and alternate with each other in defence and attack.

Martin Johnson faced a big decision at fly-half and I think he's made the right call. Johnno has said that World Cup ruby is less about style, more about steel and substance. The England backline might well function with more incision and fluidity with Toby Flood at number ten but the World Cup is not the place for idealism. The intensity of the tournament does not allow for dream scenarios, perfect rugby. You have to take your chances and keep the scoreboard ticking over. In Jonny Wilkinson, England have the perfect player for that.

The squad is in good shape. I was impressed by England in their final warm-up game in Dublin. They exorcised the memory of their Six Nations defeat to Ireland and go into the World Cup on the verge of being a very strong team. They will need to get off to a good start - there can be no repeat of their early failings in South Africa - but if they do that there is no reason why they cannot go all the way to the final.

If they get there then they will be 80 minutes away from matching what we achieved in 2003. Of course, they will likely have New Zealand standing in their way, but we'll worry about that when we come to it.

Recommended Bets
3pts - Back England to reach the World Cup Final @ 5.0

For more World Cup betting articles, go to http://betting.betfair.com/rugby-bet/rugby-union/world-cup/