Rugby Union World Cup 2023 sweepstake kit: Download your FREE kit here

The Rugby Union World Cup kicks off on Friday night as hosts France take on New Zealand, with the battle for the sport's biggest prize being contested for the next six weeks

The greatest show in Rugby Union gets underway on Friday as 20 nations battle to be crowned world champions.

South Africa head to France in possession of the Webb Ellis Cup, having beaten England in the showpiece final four years ago. And all the usual suspects will be in the running again this time around, with a wide open tournament expected.

But if you don’t know your ruck from a maul, or your hooker from a flanker…fear not as Mirror Sport gives you a chance to still enjoy the action. The World Cup sweepstake kit is simple to enjoy and can get everyone involved.

All you need to do is print out the form at the bottom of this article, cut out the names and stick them in a hat, envelope, bowl or whatever you can find! Then it’s the simple task of allocating the teams, picking the prizes and away you go!

France take on New Zealand in a blockbuster opening to the tournament on Friday night (8.15 kick off) so there’s no time to waste.

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Simply click download below, press print, cut the names out, round up the people in your office (or wherever) and enjoy. Easy!

How to watch the tournament

For those fans in the United Kingdom, ITV will show every game live and exclusive. The vast majority of games will be shown on ITV1 with the odd game on ITV4. ITVX will also stream every game live and online.

Who are the favourites?

Unsurprisingly, New Zealand enter as pre-tournament favourites. The All Blacks have lifted Rugby Union’s biggest prize on three occasions - most recently in 2015. They have dropped to a lowly fourth in the world however, and arrive in France on the back of their heaviest ever defeat, losing 35-7 to South Africa last month.

Nevertheless, they head the betting above hosts France, who are looking to win the tournament for the first ever time. Then it’s the holders South Africa, before the top-ranked team on earth - Ireland take their place.

Ireland have never got past the quarter finals. Losing at that stage in the last three tournaments…surely they go better this time around.

England crossed the channel in their lowest ever position of eighth in the world, with expectations low for Steve Borthwick’s side. They have been placed in the weaker half of the draw however, and have a track record of exceeding hopes.

In contrast to their Auld enemy, Scotland arrived in fine fettle. Having beaten France last month and sitting fifth in the current rankings. Warren Gatland and Wales are a shadow of teams in previous years, but should never be discounted. They’ll fancy their chances of making a run in the weaker side of the draw.