text: It may be another 149 days until England begin their World Cup campaign against Fiji at Twickenham, but England assistant coach Andy Farrell can already feel the excitement building across the country. Stuart Lancaster’s side will take on the South Sea Islanders in the World Cup curtain-raiser on September 18 at England HQ in a tournament that will encompass 48 matches spread across 44 days of action. ‘Rugby is going to be the sport of the year with the World Cup coming up,’ said Farrell. Andy Farrell says rugby union is going to be the sport of the year with the World Cup coming up in England . ‘It's as though the tournament is going to start in a few weeks’ time. If it’s already like it is now, I think we'll never have seen anything like it come World Cup time. The important thing on the back of that is obviously seizing the opportunity for the legacy after it. ‘I've absolutely no doubt that this is going to be the biggest World Cup ever. You go to places like Gloucester or Exeter; you see the buzz around the place because they know it's coming. It's going to be fantastic.’ England came within six points of claiming the RBS 6 Nations following their pulsating 55-35 victory against France on the final day of the championship – as Ireland secured a second successive title on points difference. It was the fourth consecutive time that England had finished second in the championship, but Farrell saw plenty of positives with international rookies like Jonathan Joseph, Anthony Watson and George Ford impressing throughout while established campaigners such as Ben Youngs and Billy Vunipola looked rejuvenated. ‘Coming into the World Cup, we're in a great place,’ Farrell explained. ‘There were a few injuries before the Six Nations and people got their opportunity. A lot of people took those opportunities. We're fortunate now that when we pick a 31-man squad; all these guys will have had some experience at international level. ‘Not just experience, but in pressure situations like the French game for example. We’re certainly going to have a squad full of people that can certainly cope in this environment.’ The England assistant coach says England are in great shape ahead of the tournament this summer . England will begin their preparations for the tournament with a two-week training camp at Pennyhill Park in early July. The squad will then embark on a trip to Colorado in Texas for a fortnight of high-intensity training at high-altitude before returning for three warm-up games against France (twice) and Ireland prior to the tournament. England must name a 31-man World Cup squad by August 31 and Farrell admits that some tough selection calls lay ahead. ‘The first train-on squad, we could pick up to 50 players. There'll be good players disappointed that they've not got into that squad! ‘Imagine taking it down to 31 - there's going to be a lot of players, good players, missing out on what is dream playing in a home World Cup so it's a big thing for us selection because you've got to get it right… it's so important. ‘We're together for at least three months before the competition starts which will hopefully be seven weeks long for us so it's a hell of a long time together so we have to make sure that we break it up.’ It doesn’t get any easier once the tournament begins as England will look to qualify from a group that also contains Test heavyweights Australia and Wales. England missed out on the Six Nations title despite an impressive victory against France . Farrell (right) says Stuart Lancaster (left) has some tough decisions to make in terms of selection . Home advantage may prove decisive and Farrell cites the Twickenham factor as a major fillip for his side ahead of the tournament. ‘Obviously, Twickenham's our home. It's a bit of a fortress for us. We play very well here. The crowd always gets behind us. They are the 16th man. We've been fortunate over the last three years. You can't actually nail your hat on which was the best atmosphere now because there's been so many of them. ‘The New Zealand game, all the Welsh games, the Irish games or the last game here (against France) - they're all pretty special. Following their meetings with Fiji, Australia and Wales at Twickenham, England will play their final Pool A game against minnows Uruguay at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester. And Farrell, who was born and bred in Wigan, is thrilled that England are venturing out of the capital during the tournament. ‘It's going to be great for us to get up north because there's a lot of northerners in our side anyway,’ Farrell added. ‘It'll be great to get back to our roots and show the people of Manchester what it's about as well. We want to feel the buzz around the whole country behind us not just people down here.’ Farrel says the home crowd will be vital at Twickenham at the World Cup . Andy Farrell was representing England Rugby at an event hosted by QBE, the business insurance specialist and official insurance partner of England Rugby. To make a nomination and enter the QBE My Coach head to QBErugby.com .
target: England begin their World Cup campaign against Fiji on September 18 .
  Stuart Lancaster's side will also face Australia and Wales in Pool A .
  England will play final pool game against Uruguay at the Etihad Stadium .
  Lancaster must name his 31-man World Cup squad before August 31 .