The waiting is almost over as Twickenham prepares to play host for the opening game of the 2015 Rugby World Cup. Following months of warm-up games, injuries and intrigue it's time to get down to business and hosts England will be determined to get their home tournament off to a winning start. Fiji will be no pushovers, but most arriving at Friday's game will expect Stuart Lancaster's side - decked out in their red change shirts - to get the job done.

Team news

Lancaster keeps faith with the XV that saw off Ireland in their final warm-up match, with the only change to the matchday 23 coming on the replacements' bench where Rob Webber replaces Jamie George as understudy to hooker Tom Youngs. All of which means George Ford will conduct affairs from fly-half, while Ben Morgan has ousted Billy Vunipola for the No.8 shirt.

Sevens specialists they may be, but Fiji will represent a stern challenge on Friday night. Coach John McKee can call on a trio of match-winners with Nemani Nadolo, Niki Goneva and Metuisela Talebula providing a serious try-scoring threat. The side will be captained by former Gloucester flanker Akapusi Qera. Ospreys back Josh Matavesi is a useful option off the bench.

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Key head-to-head

If England are to get the comprehensive victory they crave then they must nullify the threat posed by Fiji's outside backs, particularly Nadolo. Ben Youngs has been keen to extol the virtues of a fast start, and in this respect England will be hoping to pin the Islanders back to ensure they don't get even the faintest whiff of an upset. Lining up against Nadolo is Anthony Watson and he will have a huge role to play, in attack as well as defence. He has proven himself capable of scoring and saving tries at international level and will want to put in the kind of performance that helped England earn a memorable win in Cardiff last February. If England lose track of the giant wing, though, they could end up in some trouble.

Key stats

* England have never lost against Fiji in eight matches.

* The Red Rose average two tries per game in their eight outings against the Pacific Islanders.

* The last time the two sides met, in Nov. 2012, Charlie Sharples scored two tries in a 54-12 win for England.

Odds

Unibet have England as extreme favourites for the opening game, priced at 1/50. You can get a Fiji win with the same firm at 15/1. The hosts are priced at 4/1 to win the whole tournament, while their opponents are a rather longer shot at 1,000/1.

Weather

Rain is expected in the area around Twickenham around an hour before kick-off, although it should ease off as the match gets under way. Whether that suits England or Fiji most, only time will tell.

Prediction

Fiji have flown under the radar somewhat given Pool A also contains Australia and Wales and on the back of a sustained period of preparation they should cause England a few problems. That said, their record against the Red Rose is abysmal and if the hosts have serious designs on winning the World Cup then this is a game they must win. It could be close at half time but expect Lancaster's men to canter away in the second 40 minutes.