Who are the real favourites going into the Rugby World Cup knockout stage

The Rugby World Cup has got its win or go home stage, with the quarterfinals of the competition kicking off this weekend.

The stakes and standards set before have now risen, with each team knowing that their best is all they can deliver if they are to progress to the next round.

Eight of the world's best teams remain, but which ones are the favorites to win the Webb Ellis Cup?

Ireland is the team to beat in this year's World Cup, extending their unbeaten streak to 17 games and beating the world's best on multiple occasions since July last year.

The 'Shamrocks' have beaten New Zealand, South Africa, and England twice, showcasing a remarkable run that's made them look invincible. Ireland has to be the favorite to win the World Cup.

The team Ireland faces in New Zealand, the greatest rugby nation in the world, and the team that beat Ireland in July last year.

After a loss to France on the opening day, New Zealand has scored 36 tries in three games against Namibia, Uruguay, and Italy. The three-time champions are not going anywhere yet and can cause Ireland some problems.

The host nation, France, has taken to their home support at this year's competition, demolishing every team in front of them so far in the Group Stages and managing the pressure of a home nation superbly.

France will also be bolstered by the fact the world's best player, Antoine Dupont, is expected to make a full return to the knockout stages after fracturing his face earlier in the competition. Will the raucous home crowd drive them across the finishing line?

Reigning champions South Africa will hope to defend their title when they play France this weekend, knowing that fast, tackle-hard defense can slow France's supply of the ball to their tenacious backs.

The last time France and South Africa battled it out, France edged it 30-26 in a tight encounter. This game feels no different. With the pressure relaxed for the 'Springboks,' they have every chance of making it in this competition.

England finished top of their group in comfortable fashion after a terrible set of pre-tournament warm-up fixtures, losing four of the last five before they went to France.

England faces Fiji, the team that beat England at Twickenham just a couple of months ago, but with the experience of the knockout stages in the squad from 2019 and the quality in midfield coming from Owen Farrell, England could scare the opposition ahead.

The quarter-final games are Wales vs Argentina, Ireland vs New Zealand, England vs Fiji, and France vs South Africa.

The quarterfinals have set the stage for some of the favorites of the competition to be knocked out at an early stage, giving the fans a taste of what is to come.

Will it be home nation France, or will one of the other super teams spoil the party and win the tournament away from their homeland?