Have you set the alarm? What time are you at work? Not for work, for Rugby!

The cameras are focused, the wall-charts are up, the beer is in the fridge - or should that be the hot chocolate is bubbling? This time tomorrow the Rugby World Cup will have begun, presumably with victory to the hosts; New Zealand (no offence meant to Tonga - their opponents). I won't be there, but what can be said for certainty is that I will be watching on TV. But such is the time difference of our antipodean brothers on the other side of the world, I will be getting up to sport.

Sports fans around the world will all understand this phenomenon. In 2000 we all arose from our beds to see who had won medals at the Sydney Olympics. I remember getting up to watch England beat Denmark 3-0 in the round of 16 of the 2002 Japan & South Korea World Cup. And how many of us have disturbed partners, families and housemates with shouts and cheers when Chris Tremlett took Michael Beer's wicket in the second innings of the 5th test at The SCG to win the 2010/11 Ashes? I know I did. Of course, I can only speak for British viewers, I suppose staying up to watch The FA Cup final, or Grand Prix would be exactly the same.

Watching over-night sport is just one of those special things. You feel brilliant watching or listening to sport when there logically shouldn't be sport. I even get the same feeling staying up for election night. It just feels like you have made the extra effort to experience the sport, it makes the event so much more special. This feeling is by far at its best when you are in pajamas, under a duvet, with a cup of tea, it is dark and cold outside (possibly raining) and you sit in watching your heroes bowling, kicking, running, rowing or whatever.

Tomorrow is not bad at all, for the saddos (me) who will watch the opening ceremony the start is 8.30am. But for those of you wanting to see Argentina V Romania the start is 4.30am, for New Zealand V Canada it's 3.30am and for Scotland V Romania it is 2am. Probably best to just stay up! 'Experts' (in other words my friends on TMS) say that constant movement, cold drinks, small snacks and power naps are best for the stayers among you.

For tomorrow's game it is hard to look past New Zealand, who have quality in places most of us don't even know exist. They have to be favourites for the competition, although recent losses to the Aussies and South Africa show they are not infallible. If I had to stick my neck out I'd go for 32-9.

As for home nations; England stand the best chance, in a relatively easy group, although a potential 2nd round against Les Bleus could be tricky. The Scot's campaign will come down to the 25th Sept against Argentina, unless they can nick an unlikely victory over England. Ireland should escape their group, but South Africa probably lie in wait in the 2nd round, although I certainly hope not. My beloved Wales. I can see them not getting through the group stage, slipping up against South Sea Islanders Fiji and Samoa, and if they do get through, Australia in the 2nd round! Eek.

Enjoy your rugby.