My World XV is based more on the impact these players have on the game rather than true greatness, although some of these players are indeed the greatest in their position.

15 - Chris Latham (Australia): With a thunderous boot and natural attacking instinct, Latham's presence makes the Wallabies a more threatening team. Sound defensively, he is big and strong, yet can step off either foot and plays well positionally.  Just missing out:South Africa's Percy Montgomery has undergone a renaissance this year, but loses out as he does not attack the line like many modern fullbacks.  Wonderful kicking foot.

14 - Bryan Habana (South Africa): The world's most dangerous winger, with the ability to turn the game on its head.  Plenty of pace and a nose for scoring tries.  Not the strongest defensively, but brings so much attacking threat to the Boks that coaches will plan for him as a single entity.  Just missing out: All Black Lote Tuquiri, as a pure athlete is very dangerous, but still struggles occasionally with positional play. Can be overly aggressive in defence and often runs away from his support

'While not the running centre of his Australasian counterparts, Catt's brilliant tactical kicking, calming influence and distribution skills with his backline are worth their weight in gold'


13 - Stirling Mortlock (Australia): Elevated to Wallaby captaincy this year, Mortlock is a menace in attack and damaging in defence. Loads of pace for a big man, and is a genuine lifter of his team.Just missing out: Ireland's Brian O'Driscoll, who seems to rely more on his link with Gordon D'Arcy and requires his team to be attacking for him to be at his best.  Not a rock defensively like most modern outsides.

12 - Mike Catt (England): The World XV bolter.  While not the running centre of his Australasian counterparts, his brilliant tactical kicking, calming influence and distribution skills with his backline are worth their weight in gold, and indeed have been over 68 Tests.  Solid defensively, his captaincy in England's defeat of France this year won the nod.  Just missing out : Australia's Matt Giteau, still to impact the game at international level, and New Zealand's Luke McAlister, who is still so young and often plays as an individual. He's not a team player yet.

11 - Shane Williams (Wales): Another classic-style winger, with blinding pace, a good rugby head, and much better defensively than most give him credit for. A genuine threat whenever he plays with the ball.  Just missing out: Joe Rokocoko, the flying All Black winger, is just as threatening but has no kicking boot and sometimes plays too cute.

10 - Daniel Carter (New Zealand): The world's most-balanced first five eighth (fly-half).  A strong runner at the line, a text-book tackler and one of the most gifted kickers in the game.  He has the ability to win a game single-handedly.  Just missing out: Australia's Stephen Larkham, not the tactical kicker his counterparts are, and can be weak on defence - andFelipe Contemponi, instrumental to the Pumas' success, but relies too often on his kicking.

9 - A tie between George Gregan (Australia) and Augustin Pichot (Argentina): Too close to call.  Both off to their fourth World Cup, both past or present captains of their national team, and both with a delayed style of passing off the base.  Both are great talkers and are instrumental links between their backs and forwards.  And pseudo-referees extraordinaire!Just missing out: South Africa's Fourie Du Preez, the classical scrum-half, with a more rounded game than both, but without the massive experience.

8 - Rodney So'oiolo (New Zealand): A huge work rate and a monster in defence.  Excellent scrummager at the base of the scrum, and a roll-up-your-sleeves style of player.  Also wins the nod due to his fitness and speed as former 2002 Commonwealth gold medallist for sevens.  Just missing out:  England's Martin Corry, who has played more at No.6 recently, but is a true leader of men, and a brilliant line-out exponent.

7 - Richie McCaw (New Zealand): Current All Black captain, IRB and IRPA World Player of the Year.  The finest exponent of open-side play in the world. Tremendously strong and durable and risks life and limb chasing down the loose.  A player opposition coaches love to hate.  Just missing out : Australia's George Smith, almost as brilliant as McCaw, just misses out due to Richie's numerous plaudits.

6 - Jerry Collins (New Zealand): The most feared defensive player in the world.  Collins has developed his game in the last two years, and has become a brilliant true loosie, and an outstanding link player.  A menace with ball in hand, he also captained New Zealand on their tour of Argentina.  Just missing out: South Africa's Schalk Burger - the blond bomber is a house of a man, with hands as big as bike wheels.  But does not have the rounded game of Collins.

5 - Paul O'Connell (Ireland): A brilliant old-school lock, and a voracious scavenger of the ball.  Pivotal to Ireland's success.  A great leader and a true line-out lock forward.  Solid scrummager.  Just missing out:Fabien Pelous, the massively experienced Frenchman is sometimes questioned about his workrate, but another great lock.

4 - Victor Matfield (South Africa): The world's best line-out jumper, and one of the few locks who competes at every throw.  Strong on defence, recently also captained the Springboks.  Vicious leader.  Just missing out:Nathan Sharpe, the Wallabies' leading line-out exponent and tremendous competitor.  Great leader of the tight.

3 - Carl Hayman (New Zealand): The world's finest prop.  Almost immovable, has been instrumental in the All Blacks' scrum dominance.  Solid on defence and loves to run with the ball.  A true intimidator.  Just missing out: Pieter De Villiers, the cornerstone of the powerful French pack.  Very powerful for a small(ish) prop.

2 - John Smit (South Africa): The Springbok captain.  A strong scrummager, terrific on defence, and most importantly, a bullseye in the line-out.  Has come of age this year with his excellent form.  Just missing out:New Zealand's Keven Mealamu, the world's most dynamic hooker.  Excellent on the loose, and extremely fit.

1 - Os du Randt (South Africa): A menacing, lumbering prop.  When on form will tear opposition apart, and loves to roll downfield.  Is rated one of the finest props of all time, and certainly the most durable.  Just missing out: Tony Woodcock, the rugby players' prop.  Loves playing, and smiles insanely at every scrum.  Another instrumental figure in the All Blacks' scrum dominance.