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When Stuart Lancaster addressed a sell-out crowd at the O2 Arena last week during England’s send-off, his rousing speech concluded with a World Cup mission statement: ‘I hope we win it. I’m sure we will.’

As he spoke from behind a lectern on the elevated stage with a giant Red Rose as the backdrop and his face displayed on screens alongside, the national coach could have been mistaken for a presidential candidate at a glitzy Stateside rally.

Lancaster is an accomplished public speaker and by the time he had finished, the audience were eating out of his hand. Some were more interested in the imminent arrival of Take That, but they clearly believed what they had heard.

Chris Robshaw, Anthony Watson, Jonathan Joseph, Courtney Lawes, James Haskell and Joe Marler pose for a Sportsmail photo exclusive

Captain Chris Robshaw (left) and winger Anthony Watson (right) will be key men for England in this home World Cup

Robshaw is bidding to keep the trophy in England, a dozen years after Martin Johnson led his country to glory

Head coach Stuart Lancaster delivered a rousing speech last week at The O2, saying he is 'sure England will win' the tournament

England flanker Robshaw leads the captain's run at Twickenham on Thursday ahead of their opener at the same venue against Fiji

Now, having heard the manifesto, the people are waiting for Lancaster to deliver. The time has come for England to back up all their words of confidence and conviction. They will be glad that it is time for action. After 42 Tests under Lancaster, his squad must show that their often absorbing and heartening tale of collective endeavour and sometimes painful development can end in the ultimate triumph.

Ahead of the tournament opener against Fiji at Twickenham, the English standard-bearers insist they are ready. In truth, they are not fully primed for what lies ahead, but few teams ever are. Even now, after three-and-a-half years of building up to this grand occasion, there are questions and doubts. Lancaster and his coaches are trying to bed down a new midfield combination when they would have preferred stability, and recent wobbles in the set piece remain cause for concern.

Srum-half Ben Youngs (right) runs with the ball in training with George Ford and Mike Brown (left) in support at Pennyhill Park

Rising star Watson is one of several relatively inexperienced England stars keen to make their name at this World Cup

England are young and less experienced in certain positions than many of their leading rivals. The tally of caps in the back-line is especially sparse, hence Rob Andrew’s understandable assertion that the team’s development should continue long after this life-defining event.

But the former Test fly-half nonetheless claimed that short-term glory is a realistic prospect and that is a view shared by the coaches, players, staff and their RFU employers. Yet, Lancaster and his men carry a colossal burden. Their efforts will define the sport in this country, potentially for generations. This is a watershed moment.

This World Cup was awarded to England in large part to generate vast profits for the global game and that target will be achieved with room to spare. Organisers will be able to pay off the £80million guarantee that was a condition of staging the event and have plenty left in the kitty. The scale of the commercial operation is staggering. Despite the exorbitant ticket prices, stands will be full and the tournament is destined to be the best yet.

Well, that is the theory. Nothing would stick a pin in the party balloons quicker than the hosts falling on their faces. Lancaster’s side are playing for more than their own fulfilment and national honour. Amid all the talk of history, they are playing for the future. If they soar, rugby’s appeal will broaden across the land. If they fail, the game will not make a breakthrough outside its current heartlands. No pressure, then.

England face the toughest challenge ever laid before a home country at the World Cup. Due to a premature pool draw and a quirk of the world rankings, the ‘Pool of Death’ with Wales, Australia and Friday's threatening opponents, Fiji, was created. Should Lancaster’s men finish second, their route could pitch them against South Africa, New Zealand and Ireland — or Wales and Australia again.

The only home banker is against Uruguay in Manchester, but even that carries significance, as there is a fair chance that Pool A will come down to points difference.

The England squad pose for a team photo wearing their club's colours before the beginning of the main event

England's attacking strategy will centre around fly-half George Ford with his Bath team-mate Jonathan Joseph also a key component

Fiji may be underdogs but they have quality players who can cause some damage with ball in hand, such as Nemani Nadolo (right)

There has been much debate about the best approach to Friday's opener, as England must tackle a tactical quandary. They have been expanding their attacking repertoire around the creative hub of George Ford at No 10 and his Bath team-mate, Jonathan Joseph, at outside centre. Their conjuring skills have paved the way for wings Jonny May and Anthony Watson to go on a try-scoring spree. These days, the English weapon of choice is the scalpel, not the sledgehammer.

But — and it is a big but — the foundations are vital in this match. For all the talk of Fiji’s improving scrum and more structured approach, they still cause most havoc when running in open space. England have spoken repeatedly of denying the likes of Nemani Nadolo and Vereniki Goneva possession and time on the ball, so that will require England’s scrum and lineout to be far more effective than in the warm-up games.

The long-term evidence suggests England’s forwards will overcome their recent blips, gradually gain supremacy and set up victory, after a fashion. Ideally, they would hope for a bonus point but above all else, England must win to add substance to Lancaster’s manifesto and take that first step towards safeguarding the future.