If an inter-planetary Rugby Union tournament were to take place, then these 15 giants of the game would be best-placed to represent the human race. The best players in the world, they are sure to light up the World Cup next month. A team with pace, power, guile and experience – a coach’s dream.

1. Tony Woodcock (New Zealand, loosehead prop) Age 26, caps 33.  A real warhorse and brilliant in the scrum, Woodcock is also a mobile prop with good ball skills, often making surging runs in the loose.

2. John Smit (South Africa, hooker) Age 29, caps 63. Very reliable at the lineout, Smit is a great leader and cool under pressure. He is already one of South Africa’s most successful leaders, having won 16 of his 22 Tests as captain.

'Brian O'Driscoll's dancing feet and eye for a gap often leave defenders for dead'


3. Carl Hayman (New Zealand, tighthead prop) Age 27, caps 41. Hayman is arguably the greatest tighthead scrummager in world rugby and being unusually tall for a prop, he is a fantastic lineout lifter. In the loose, he is a tireless worker with good handling skills and last year was short-listed for the New Zealand player of the year award. Next season will see him move to Guinness Premiership side Newcastle, where it is believed he will become the world's highest-paid player. 

4. Paul O’Connell (Ireland, second row) Age 27, caps 39. In 2006 he was shortlisted for the IRB Player of the Year, making him the only Northern Hemisphere nominee. Brilliant in the lineout, he is a reliable jumper at two or four. O’Connell is a talisman for the Irish pack and is a great leader with tremendous power and athleticism.

5. Chris Jack (New Zealand, second row) Age 28, caps 62. Jack is an extraordinary athlete considering his height (2.02m, around 6ft 2in) and weight (112kg). Brilliant in the loose, he is quick over the ground and possesses great hands, at times playing like an extra loose forward. He is also one of the world’s best lineout jumpers, often stealing opposition ball.

6. Schalk Burger (South Africa, blindside flanker) Age 23, caps 31. Burger suffered a career-threatening neck injury in 2006 but has now returned to the form that led to him being crowned IRB Player of the Year in 2004. Effective in the lineout and a powerful ball carrier, Burger brings great balance to any back row.

7. Richie McCaw (New Zealand, openside flanker, captain) Age 26, caps 55. The 2006 IRB World Player of the year, McCaw is without doubt the best loose forward around. Unbelievably quick around the pitch, his speed and stamina mean he is nearly always the first player to arrive at the breakdown - winning quick ball for his team-mates or slowing down or turning over opposition ball. A great leader with a cool head, McCaw is the best all-round player in the game.

8. Jerry Collins (New Zealand, No.8) Age 26, caps 44. Collins is one of the hardest hitters in world rugby and is a feared opponent who has immense physical strength. Bone-crunching tackles and bulldozing runs characterise his game but he also possesses great handling skills.

9. George Gregan (Australia, scrum-half) Age 34, caps 134. The most capped player of all time, Gregan has tremendous guile and knowledge. His reading of the game is second to none and his superb tactical play helps take the pressure off those around him.

10.  Dan Carter (New Zealand, fly-half) Age: 25, caps 41. Carter was named 2005 IRB Player of the after a season of outstanding performances against the British and Irish Lions. He is the only fly-half who has it all; great speed, strength and a dangerous sidestep mean he is a devastating attacker with ball in hand. He is also a reliable goal-kicker and a knowledgeable player who makes the right plays at the right time. Having scored over 600 points in Test match rugby, only injury will stop him rewriting the record books.

11. Joe Rokocoko (New Zealand, left wing) Age 24. caps 45. Rokocoko’s record of 37 tries in just 41 Tests makes him one of the most prolific try-scorers international rugby has seen. Possessing an abundance of pace and power he can, and often does, score from anywhere on the pitch.

13. Brian O'Driscoll (Ireland, outside centre, vice-captain) Age 28, caps 71. The all-round ability and impact of O’Driscoll can’t be underestimated. Deceptively powerful in both attack and defence, he has the ability to break the gain line and turn over ball like a back-row forward. His dancing feet and eye for a gap often leave defenders for dead.

14. Bryan Habana (South Africa, right wing) Age 24, caps 27. Habana will probably be the fastest player on show at the Rugby World Cup. Strong in the tackle, he is a great defender as well as a deadly finisher. His last-minute try, which won the Super 14 for the Bulls, was one of the highlights of club rugby last season.

15. Mils Mulaina (New Zealand, fullback) Age 27, caps 52. Capable of playing at centre, wing or fullback, Muliaina is a tremendously versatile player who has a wide array of skills. In defence he is a strong tackler and is very reliable under the high ball. He has a great turn of pace which make him a very dangerous counter attacking fullback.

Win a press pass to the Rugby World Cup!