Rugby World Cup Fixtures 2015: Top Storylines for Week 1 Matches

England welcomes the 2015 Rugby World Cup to its borders on Friday. There's a long list of headlines surrounding every team in contention—from the titanic to the minuscule.

A raft of questions lies in wait of answers, as fans wait to see how Stuart Lancaster's side fare in the opening challenge against Fiji, while reigning champions New Zealand face a difficult task of their own in the shape of Argentina.

Those are just some of the main storylines moving into Week 1 of the competition as we discuss some of the biggest topics ahead of the Rugby World Cup kickoff.

1. All Blacks Braced for Toughest Pool Test

As if New Zealand weren't strong enough, Steve Hansen's men were also somewhat fortunate to be handed a favourable draw in Pool D, where their most difficult obstacle will come against the Pumas this Sunday.

The two Rugby Championship participants by all means look likely to fight it out for the top two places in Pool C, with Tonga, Georgia and Namibia lying a substantial way off their standard.

It's a route that could come to a disadvantage should the All Blacks happen to grow complacent, but Hansen may well be favourable to the idea of starting off strong against the Pumas.

Argentina's best result against New Zealand remains a 21-21 draw clinched in 1985. The South Americans face an almighty struggle against the titleholders to seal a maiden victory at Wembley this weekend.

2. Ireland Battling Form to Start with a Spring

Associated Press

It's something of an eerie time to be an Ireland fan at present, knowing full well that, at its best, Joe Schmidt's squad could well challenge for this World Cup, but finding that gear has proved a bother of late.

While the Irish may take solace in the notion that experimentation played its part in both results, recent defeats to Wales (at home) and England (away) have left the team's hopes looking more ambiguous.

Schmidt's side begin their tournament against the far-from-threatening Canada on Saturday, but Ireland won't take the Maple Leafs for granted if they remember the 22-10 win over the United States four years ago—hardly as conclusive a win as was hoped.

The Irish won't want to peak just yet and are pinning just about all their pool hopes on the clash against France on October 11; nevertheless, a confident start will certainly help inspire the troops.

3. Springboks Seeking a Statement After Rugby Championship Washout

It's been just about as dire a summer as South Africa could have envisioned for 2015. They lost all three of their Rugby Championship fixtures and have only a consolation win over Argentina in August to show for their troubles.

Stuff.co.nz reported that coach Heyneke Meyer at least has a clean bill of health in his squad to look forward to now, having contended with a steady stream of absences in recent months.

The Springboks take on Japan at the Amex Stadium this Saturday, hoping to put any lingering doubts of such poor tournament preparation behind them and start afresh in their bid to top Pool B.

Eddie Jones' Japan side will bring a dangerous, nothing-to-lose approach to this weekend's opening encounter, where South Africa's performance will tell us whether their lacklustre streak is set to continue.

4. Can Fiji Rumble the Pool-of-Death Predictions?

With three of the world's top five ranked teams in Pool A, Fiji aren't being given a long life expectancy at this year's World Cup, with any two of England, Australia and Wales expected to advance.

The 2015 Pacific Nations Cup champions shouldn't be ruled out just yet, though, according to Bath-bound Niko Matawalu, one of the team's rising stars, per Paul Rees of the Guardian: "This is a better prepared Fiji team than ever before. We know there is room for improvement and we keep working hard to get better. Can we upset England? We have watched them, but we are keeping quiet about what we picked up until Friday night."

John McKee's side are hoping to go further than ever before in this year's tournament, having made it to the quarter-finals on three occasions in the past. What better way to lay down their mark than with an opening victory against hosts England on Friday?

The pool-of-death odds may run firmly against them and minnows Uruguay, but Fiji can shock what little script there is in their group if they're able to show more initiative than the Red Rose.

5. Italy Strive to Contend Without Sergio Parisse

Andrew Medichini/Associated Press

Jacques Brunel's tenure as Italy coach has hardly been one for the history books, and he opens his last major tournament at the helm against France on Saturday; however, he does so without the talents of captain Sergio Parisse.

Even with the talismanic No. 8 among their ranks, the Azzurri have hardly flourished as a team in recent years, but there's no doubt Les Bleus would have looked that much more beatable with him present.

Samuela Vunisa likely lines up as replacement for Stade Francais' back-row icon at No. 8, but there aren't too many individuals in the world who could be called Parisse's equal.

Philippe Saint-Andre's men dusted Italy away with a 29-0 victory at this year's Six Nations, and a recent warm-up win over England shows France may be gathering World Cup momentum just when it's needed.