PARIS - World champions England begin their title defence with an undemanding match against the United States in Lens on Saturday evening.
England will take the field once again without first five-eighths Jonny Wilkinson, who has played only seven times for his country since drop-kicking the winning goalagainst Australia in the 2003 final.
Wilkinson is suffering from an ankle injury and is battling against time to get fit for the Pool A decider against South Africa next Friday and possibly even for the rest of the tournament.
Cup favourites New Zealand, who have not won the tournament since they were the co-hosts in 1987, meet Italy in their opening match in Marseille.
The All Blacks have been placed in an undemanding group in which Six Nations teams Italy and Scotland will be playing for second place.
Twice champions Australia, who defeated New Zealand in the 2003 semi-finals, meet Japan in Lyons in the day's other match, while there are four more pool games on Sunday.
