Northern Hemisphere rugby is in such a terrible state at present that when I decided to sit down to pick a World XV, I could find only one player from the British Isles or France worthy of selection. Yes, the only man from north of the Equator to get the green light is Ireland's superstar captain Brian O'Driscoll.

In picking my World XV line-up, I have been guided by the feedback when I picked a Southern Hemisphere Dream Team that selection criteria should be apparent. So to be eligible, players must have been involved in international rugby since November 2006, must be available for the World Cup, and must have played in the position selected during the said time period.

These are the men who win my vote, starting from the front:

1. Tony Woodcock (NZ): Excellent scrummager in an excellent front row.

2. Keven Mealamu (NZ): tough decision. John Smit, Anton Oliver (on the basis of his scrum) and Stephen Moore all came up but ultimately it was Mealamu’s all-round ability and superb ball-running capability that gave him the honour. Being used as an impact player of late.

3. Carl Hayman (NZ): Undisputed.

4. Bakkies Botha (South Africa): Picked on his ability to steal the opposition’s lineout throw and his partnership with Victor Matfield.

5. Victor Matfield (South Africa): The general in possibly the best lineout in the world (seen at its peak against the All Blacks).

6. Jerry Collins (NZ): The ‘Enforcer’ does exactly that, over and over again.

7. Richie McCaw (NZ, captain): Undisputed. Has overtaken Dan Carter as the world's best player.

8. Pierre Spies (South Africa): Schalk Burger was the No.1 choice but I couldn’t find proof he had in fact played at No.8 recently. Thus his teammate, who was superb in the Springboks' opening Tests this year, gets the job.

9. George Gregan (Australia): So difficult to pick this position. Fourie du Preez hasn’t proved himself at Test level yet this year and Byron Kelleher has been the All Blacks' best player in 2007. But the evergreen George has peaked (as always) when his country needs him. His match in Melbourne was brilliant until he was injured.

10. Daniel Carter (NZ): Hasn’t been anywhere his best recently but his performances in Europe, where the All Blacks were at their peak, simply can’t be ignored. Stephen Larkham and Ronan O’Gara are unlucky to miss out

11. Bryan Habana (South Africa): Arguably the most important player in South Africa’s back line.

12. Matt Giteau (Australia): The most settled second-five in the world. I was tempted to play Larkham here (Italy, Nov ’06) but Giteau’s class and silky skills, mixed with Stirling Mortlock’s sublime running and power game makes the best centre pairing in the world.

13. Brian O’Driscoll  (Ireland, vice-captain): Mortlock was so close but there was no way I could omit the Leinster superstar.

14.Joe Rokocoko (NZ): Excellent in Europe and finding top form at the moment.

15. Chris Latham (Australia): The best fullback in the world – the selection criteria was built around him.

Reserves: 16: John Smit (South Africa) 17: Phil Vickery (England) 18: Chris Jack (NZ) 19: George Smith (Australia) 20: Byron Kelleher (NZ), 21: Stephen Larkham (Australia) , 22: Mils Muliaina (NZ)

So there you have it. Seven All Blacks (ten if you count the bench as well),  four Springboks, three Australians and a lone Irishman. Will that depth in quality have a bearing on the outcome of the upcoming Rugby World Cup? We'll soon know.