The Rugby World Cup begins on Friday, below, a look at the most important players for the top teams at the tournament.
Steve Luckings and Paul Radley identify their pitoval players, highlighted by New Zealand’s Beauden Barrett, England’s Henry Slade and South Africa’s Handre Pollard. Click through to see what they have to say about all of the 2015 World Cup’s difference makers.
Beauden Barrett, New Zealand
The Hurricanes may have finished trophyless in Super Rugby last season, despite making all the running, but while Barrett was fit and on form, the side from Wellington were box office.
Obviously he lacks Carter’s experience and assurance, but Barrett at No 10 would give the All Blacks another attacking dimension.
Henry Slade, England
An old-fashioned bolter, who only made his Test debut on the eve of the tournament. Not named in the match-day squad for the opener against Fiji, and will realistically only get a look in if there are injuries. But Slade, who was England’s fly-half when they won the Under 19 World Championship, is a high-class talent.
Handre Pollard, South Africa
Much has been made of the age of the South Africa side. There are younger fossils than many of the players in this Springboks squad. At the other end of the spectrum, though, is Pollard, the 21-year-old fly-half who made his Test debut as a teen prodigy and has the rugby world at his feet.
Israel Folau, Australia
Folau many be the most celebrated oval-ball player in a country that loves nothing more than celebrating its oval-ball players. When he gets the ball in hand, a current of electricity surges through the stadium in expectation that the Wallabies fullback is about to do something special. His timing is impeccable. A bona fide rugby superstar.
George North, Wales
After being sidelined by a string of concussions since March, the enforced rest could turn out to be a blessing in disguise for Wales’s giant wing. North is one of the game’s most lethal finishers and Wales will need him at his bulldozing best if they are to emerge from a pool that contains England and Australia.
Wesley Fofana, France
If France are to do what France usually have a habit of doing at the World Cup and “click” when it matters most, it will be through the breathtaking skill and terrifying pace of their star centre Fofana. They don’t call the Clermont man “the Cheetah” for nothing.
Juan Imhoff, Argentina
The Racing Metro winger can operate anywhere across the back three and enjoys nothing more than launching the Pumas’ counter-attacks. In Imhoff, Argentina have a prolific try scorer who can put the finishing touches on the hard yards their famed forwards are renown for making.
Stuart Hogg, Scotland
The fullback doubles up as both Scotland’s best defender and most potent attacking threat. His form in the Six Nations, where Scotland finished bottom having failed to win a single game, was the only bright spot on a drab campaign.
