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It's a tough one. Before I start I must mention that am English and suffer from some element of bias.
There are 4 teams that can win it, England, Australia, New Zealand, and France. England are currently the world's best but to put it bluntly we are not that great away from home. Australia as hosts have to be favourates a great side and couple that with the fact that we only just beat them at twickenham, a lot will depend on that 'orrible George Smith (he is a bit good). New Zealand, well again England only beat them in a very tight game, they are always strong and will potentially make the final. This is the one I hate to say, France, they have the power of the northern hemisphere and the flair of the southern hemisphere. Fair enough they were rubbish in the 6 nations but the French will be there for the world cup. Just look at the 2 teams in the final of the Heineken cup (european cup), both french (although one would prefer to be catalan).
Outsiders: Ireland. Great season and with the pace of O'Driscol and the emergence of Geordan Murphy at full back they could indeed surprise a few.
No Hope: South Africa, they are in utter turmoil, lacking players in a lot of positions. Especially number 10, they only just managed to beat scotland at the weekend.
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