Terry O'Connor previews the 2017 Rugby League World Cup

Sky Sports' Terry O’Connor – who led Ireland in the 2000 tournament – assesses the runners and riders, with the 2017 Rugby League World Cup less than 24 hours away…

I can't wait!! Really looking forward to it; all four Home Nations involved, and the pressure firmly on England… Wayne Bennett will be full of confidence on home soil; Sean O'Loughlin is a born leader; and in Luke Gale, they boast the standout player in the Super League comp. Players like John Bateman, though, will be playing out of position.

John Kear has a proven track record in big matches at club level - and although Wales are without Gil Dudson and Ben Flower, they still have lots of quality, particularly going in under no pressure - John, though, might need to pack a couple of extra napkins as headgear!

I'll obviously be supporting Ireland, who have the experience of Scott Grix and Liam Finn to guide the Wolfhounds around the park - but Papua New Guinea is such a tough place to go, with the heat and humidity - and Mark Aston's men will be playing in the middle of the day, too.

Scotland have the toughest test - and the Bravehearts will need to be exactly that, in with three of the tournament heavyweights. Steve McCormack's men will be wearing those blue shirts with pride - but they'll be wearing plenty of bruises, too.

It goes without saying the Kangaroos will be red-hot favourites; Mal Meninga, as usual, has a wealth of talent at his disposal - led again by the Maroons' Three Wise Men - the peerless Cooper Cronk, Billy Slater and Cameron Smith. I tip Australia to top Group A, with England to pip Brad Fittler's Lebanon to second spot.

When several of their stars, including such talents as Jason Taumololo and Andrew Fifita, opt to turn down a Kiwi or Green & Gold jersey in order to represent their homeland, you've got to fancy Tonga to do some damage on the biggest stage. I tip them to top Group B - ahead of New Zealand - with Samoa joining the Kiwis in the last eight.

It's one from three in Groups C and D. Papua New Guinea boast a wealth of NRL calibre, including the outstanding David Mead, and one-time Leeds Cup winner Paul Aiton. The Kumuls will be physical, but I'm tipping Ireland to claim that quarter-final spot as, with Micky McIlorum, Brad Singleton, Kyle Amor and Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, they've got more than enough firepower up front.

Group D is another tough call - but I'm backing Fiji to edge out Italy. The Bati's skills are renowned in either code - particularly in 7s and 9s competitions - and in the likes of Kane Evans, Kevin Naiqama, Akuila Uate and the brilliant Jarryd Hayne, they boast some of the most exciting players in the tournament.

Don't forget, all eight quarter-finalists will qualify AUTOMATICALLY for the next World Cup, on these shores in 2021 - so it really is all to play for.

Bring it on!!