Rugby World Cup 2011: Top 5 Teams to Watch

The seventh Rugby World Cup is just around the corner.

If you are in the United States, action begins September 9 with the opening contest between the New Zealand All Blacks and Tonga. 

Who stands the best chance to make it out of the hard-nose group stage, prevail in three elimination games, and hoist the Webb Ellis Trophy?

Number 5: England

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DUBLIN, IRELAND - MARCH 19: Flyhalf Jonny Wilkinson of England kicks at goal during the RBS 6 Nations Championship match between Ireland and England at the Aviva Stadium on March 19, 2011 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Coming off a championship in the Six Nations, stunning winger Chris Aston leads a well-mixed group of veterans and young bucks determined to replicate England's success in the 2003 World Cup.

Their group seems manageable, with fixtures against Scotland, Georgia, Romania, and upstart Argentina, who made it to the semi-finals in 2007. Once out of group play, they will likely face either France, or the host, New Zealand.

Number 4: Ireland

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DUBLIN, IRELAND - MARCH 19: David Wallace of Ireland breaks with the ball during the RBS 6 Nations match between Ireland and England at the Aviva Stadium March 19, 2011 in Dublin, Ireland (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

After a shaky performance at Six Nations this year, the Irish hope to redeem themselves with a great World Cup run. History is not on their side, however, as they have never made it past the quarter-finals.

Iron-built captain Brian O'Driscoll (112 caps) enters his fourth world cup and gives valuable experience and command to a young team.

It is an absolute must for Ireland to get out of its group, which includes Australia, Russia, Italy, and the USA, or it means yet another World Cup failure for the men in green.

Number 3: South Africa

Bryan Habana can provide this kind of electricity any time he touches the ball for the Springboks.

Although only ranked third, the Springboks enter New Zealand with a great opportunity to defend their 2007 title.

Captain John Smit leads a highly disciplined, fast-paced, and quick scoring South Africa. Their lineup boasts a solid collection of young stars, highlighted by Bryan Habana, who was the leading try scorer for the tournament in 2007 and arguably the most electrifying player in the world.

The road to back-to-back championships begins against Wales, followed by matches with Fiji, Nambia, and Samoa.

Number 2: Australia

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SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 11: James O'Connor of the Wallabies scores a try during the 2010 Tri-Nations Bledisloe Cup match between the Australian Wallabies and the New Zealand All Blacks at ANZ Stadium on September 11, 2010 in Sydney, Australia. (Ph

In 2007, the veteran Wallabies were eliminated after a defeat in the quarterfinals by eventual runner up England. Four years later, Australia has come back reloaded and rejuvenated, hoping to gain their third World Cup title.

Open-side flanker David Pocock, who is in the running for IRB Player of the Year, is at the head of this world class group of young, emerging stars.

The Wallabies will face Ireland, Russia, Italy and the USA in group play. If they finish second in their group, Australia could be matched up with South Africa in an epic quarter final show down.

Number 1: New Zealand

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SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 11: Richie McCaw of the All Blacks performs the haka before the 2010 Tri-Nations Bledisloe Cup match between the Australian Wallabies and the New Zealand All Blacks at ANZ Stadium on September 11, 2010 in Sydney, Australia.

As in previous World Cups, the All Blacks enter 2011 as the heavy favorite to capture their first championship since 1987.

They are captained by flanker Richie McCaw, the reigning IRB Player of the Year, and boast a lineup chock-full of international superstars.

Their group is relatively manageable, with matches against France, Tonga, Canada, and Japan.

As hosts, this is a make or break scenario for the All Blacks. Anything short of the Webb-Ellis trophy will be considered a colossal failure.