WHEN put on the spot, Harry Kane was no different to many captains ahead of the World Cup.

“I believe we can win it – anyone can. I cannot sit here and say we are not going to win it because we could do,” said the England striker.

It would have prompted snorts of derision from some quarters given recent tournament failings but it was the perfect response, not bullishly, arrogantly and foolishly saying ‘will’ and not setting an unambitious target.

Kane’s sentiments will be shared by seven skippers, including Wales’ Alun Wyn Jones, in Japan next year for what is the most open Rugby World Cup for quite some time.

Maybe New Zealand’s Kieran Read will swap ‘could do’ for ‘should do’ but every other individual will be thinking that, with the assistance of a bit of luck, they could be lifting the Webb Ellis trophy in Yokohama.

Rory Best’s Ireland, Siya Kolisi’s South Africa, Michael Hooper’s Australia, Dylan Hartley/Owen Farrell’s England, Guilhem Guirado’s France and Jones’ Wales, all genuine contenders.

That list will prompt some Scots to flick the Vs because they’ve made great strides in recent times, with the scalps of the Wallabies, French and English in 2017/18.

But, with apologies to my mum from the Highlands, it’s my list.

At present Scotland, who were robbed of a semi-final in 2015, haven’t shown the consistency, track record or, at times, toughness to be bracketed with the others, who I feel have it in them to win three big knockout Tests on the spin.

Warren Gatland’s Wales certainly can, even if they would be massive underdogs against New Zealand and could do with ending that Wallabies hoodoo in Cardiff on November 10.

At times in this World Cup cycle we have wondered where Wales are going, but after finishing second in the Six Nations and enjoying a strong summer of wins against South Africa and Argentina (twice), they know that they are dark horses for next year.

They are in better shape than 2015 and even then, when their squad was paper thin and decimated by injuries, they were close to a second semi-final on the spin only to be denied by a well-executed late try by Fourie du Preez.

Why shouldn’t Wales, third in the world rankings, embrace being genuine contenders? Other countries will have no such qualms.

They have big Test beasts in lock Jones, centre Jonathan Davies, back row forwards Taulupe Faletau and Sam Warburton, hooker Ken Owens and outside backs Liam Williams, George North and Leigh Halfpenny.

They have developed a strong tight game, they have worked on being more expansive and getting the ball wide, they have selection headaches that mean Gatland & Co will leave out some quality players, they have been building steadily towards 2019 and they have World Cup experience thanks to the tournaments in New Zealand and England.

So long as they avoid banana skins against Georgia and Fiji, Wales will be a side to worry any rival in a last eight that will be fascinating; Japan will not be about the big beasts marching towards the last four.

Football is currently enjoying a wonderful tournament in Russia and rugby looks set for a cracker in Japan.

The sport doesn’t quite have the jeopardy of soccer and it will be a shock if the quarter-finalists are not New Zealand, South Africa, Australia, Ireland, Wales, England, Scotland and France.

Argentina’s recent form means that, at present, the group of death with the English and French has been downgraded a little but there will be eight quality teams in the knockout stages.

There will be no easy half of the draw, even if there will be some relief at letting others have first crack at the All Blacks. There will be peril from the last eight with four tough-to-call quarters.

Ireland have enjoyed such a wonderful 2017/18 that it will be a failure if they don’t at least go further than ever before by making the semis, South Africa are strong with their big guns back, the Aussies are tournament experts, England have their worries but still possess quality while France looked pretty good in New Zealand this summer.

Gatland’s men will look to show their credentials in their second Pool D fixture against the Wallabies but make no mistake, Wales can win the World Cup and such a statement shouldn’t prompt guffaws.

South Wales Argus:

MODERN journalists have to embrace social media but the World Cup makes it tempting to switch off the wifi.

I’ve developed a bad habit of scrolling through Twitter when sat on the sofa in front of the television but doing so risks turning a tremendous, joyful tournament in Russia into a miserable, gloomy one.

I consider myself a grouch with an ever-growing list of gripes but World Cup social media can be sapping thanks to folk, many who seem to have broken caps locks, who are desperate to be annoyed.

Moaning about the Beeb, moaning about VAR, moaning about female commentators, moaning about who others are supporting, moaning about Danny Murphy (justified), insecure rugby fans moaning about football antics (if only they had the decorum of half-backs…).

It’s much better to sit back in ignorance thanks to an internet black spot, an experience that makes the World Cup even more enjoyable, although for some the pleasure of watching wonderful sport is mixed with a nagging fear.

As an Evertonian, I am familiar with that feeling of dread as a rival inches towards something glorious thanks to things somehow falling their way – they shouldn’t win it, there are much better teams, but they might and if they do they will be insufferable.

The joy when they don’t is wonderful (thanks for the overhead kick that sparked red whining, Gareth) but the build-up is horrendous. They are horrendous.

Despite English exuberance at wins of the titans of Tunisia and Panama, many Welshmen are not too worried yet.

But come the knockout stages Gareth Southgate’s likeable bunch will leave them facing a dilemma – is it worth watching a win to make the inevitable exit even more pleasurable or is it better to get it over with? The fear will make it the latter.

Whatever happens, don’t Tweet me about it.