THE 2019 Rugby World Cup kicks off in Japan tomorrow, with England taking on Tonga in their opening match on Sunday morning.

Ahead of the big kick-off, your County Gazette asked some local rugby figures (and one clueless reporter) for their top tips...

Who would be in your starting England XV?

Dick Macey (Taunton chairman): 1. Mako Vunipola; 2. Jamie George; 3. Kyle Sinckler; 4. George Kruis; 5. Maro Itoje; 6. Sam Underhill; 7. Tom Curry; 8. Billy Vunipola; 9. Ben Youngs; 10. George Ford; 11. Elliot Daly; 12. Owen Farrell; 13. Manu Tuilagi; 14. Joe Cokanasiga; 15. Anthony Watson

Geoff Sluman (Bridgwater & Albion coach): 1 Mako Vunipola; 2 Luke Cowan-Dickie; 3 Kyle Sinckler; 4 George Kruis; 5 Joe Launchbury; 6 Mark Wilson; 7 Tom Curry; 8 Billy Vunipola; 9 Ben Youngs; 10 Owen Farrell; 11 Jonny May; 12 Manu Tuilagi; 13 Henry Slade; 14 Jack Nowell (if fit)/Joe Cokanasiga; 15 Anthony Watson

Paddy Jarman (Wellington captain): 1. Joe Marler; 2. Jamie George; 3. Kyle Sinckler; 4. Maro Itoje; 5. Courtney Lawes; 6. Mark Wilson; 7. Tom Curry; 8. Billy Vunipola; 9. Ben Youngs; 10. Owen Farrell; 11. Jonny May; 12. Henry Slade; 13. Manu Tuilagi; 14. Joe Cokanasiga; 15. Elliot Daly

Carl Rimmer (Bridgwater & Albion coach): I think people like Lawes, Ludlam, Underhill will have terrific tournaments, but I don't believe that coaches go into competitions like this with any more than one or two spots undecided at the most.

It pains me to say it but I think another really contentious spot is Nowell/Cokanasiga, due to Jack's injury.

Either way Jack will feature, or they wouldn't have taken him.

The bench I think is completely up for grabs and for those that play well in the early rounds will definitely get a big chance to play a part in later games.

But if those players above are fit, I think you'll see Eddy Jones do what he can to get these 15 together asap.

1. M. Vunipola; 2. J. George; 3. K.Sinckler; 4. G. Kruis; 5. M. Itoje; 6. Mark Wilson; 7. Tom Curry; 8. B.Vunipola; 9. B.Youngs; 10. O.Farrell; 11. J. May; 12. M. Tuilagi; 13. H. Slade; 14. J.Nowell; 15. E.Daly

Ollie Devoto (Bridgwater & Albion coach): 1 Joe Marler; 2 Jamie George; 3 Kyle Sinckler 4 Maro Itoje; 5 George Kruis 6. Sam Underhill; 7 Tom Curry; 8 Billy Vunipola; 9 Ben Youngs; 10 Owen Farrell; 11 Jonny May; 12 Manu Tuilagi; 13 Jonathan Joseph; 14 Joe Cokanasiga; 15 Elliot Daly

Paul Martin (County Gazette sports reporter): 1. Mako Vunipola; 2. Jamie George; 3. Kyle Sinckler; 4. Maro Itoje; 5. George Kruis; 6. Sam Underhill; 7. Tom Curry; 8. Billy Vunipola; 9. Ben Youngs; 10. Owen Farrell; 11. Jonny May; 12. Manu Tuilagi; 13. Henry Slade; 14. Jack Nowell (when fit)/Joe Cokanisiga; 15. Anthony Watson

Who will be world champions?

Tony Yapp (Taunton head coach): South Africa. I think they are the most rounded team.

New Zealand and England will be in the mix but I think the physicality and quality of South Africa sets them apart, and they will have confidence from running the All Blacks close recently.

Dick Macey: 1. England; 2. New Zealand; 3. Wales; 4. France

My reasoning as to positions is based upon England finding the form through the tournament that demolished Ireland - the perfect performance.

You can never write off the All Blacks and they will be as tough as they ever are.

Wales' position based upon their international form over the past two years although personally I think that bubble has burst.

Finally France's place in the last four is based upon my feeling that they have rediscovered their mojo at just the right time.

Nothing too controversial there I know but you wouldn't expect a completely unexpected team to come up on the rails in rugby football - it is a game of gentle swells!

Geoff Sluman: The All Blacks have clearly been the dominant force in world rugby, you would probably never bet against them but they have shown they are beatable in the last 12 months.

Australia and South Africa are also in the mix with South Africa being many peoples team who may throw a few surprises.

Then to the northern hemisphere teams, Wales are strong with their main squad in play and Ireland have proved they can beat the best by winning against the All Blacks twice.

England are coming to the boil at just the right time and have a strength in depth that is impressive.

One of the things that could split the difference is the coaching.

In Eddie Jones, England have a head coach that is at his fourth World Cup – all with different nations.

That experience has to be worth something.

I am going for England. Swing low!

Carl Rimmer: England. Why not? This is possibly the most open World Cup I’ve seen prior to it kicking off.

There is not really a team that you would argue is head and shoulders above the rest and it really will come down to which team can hit the ground running with real form, concentration and attitude.

Ollie Devoto (Bridgwater & Albion coach): New Zealand. They are a bit of a wounded animal but expect them to seriously turn up by the time the pool stages start.

Paddy Jarman: England

Paul Martin: England should go deep but it's always hard to look beyond New Zealand - so I'm going to play it safe and back the All Blacks.

As for dark horses, I reckon Scotland will surprise a few...