To me the World Cup has never really been about the big 3 - Australia, New Zealand and England but the 2nd tier nations and minnows.
2nd tier nations - France, Wales, PNG
minnows - the rest, I count Tonga, Samoa, Fiji etc in this because unlike the European Countries don't play tests every year.
The Island nations traditionally struggle in the Northern Hemisphere.
I also think the Scots will be the surprise packets of this tourny - like Irland and Fiji were in 2008.
While people will complain about players switching Countries but the rules are the same in other codes of sport.
Would love to see at the next World Cup this : Emerging Nations Trophy (next 12 best) - winner gets automatic selection into the next World Cup.