PLAYERS TO WATCH

JOHNNY SEXTON

Ireland’s veteran playmaker has been at the heart of the men in green’s resurgence, winning the Six Nations in 2014, 2015 and 2018. A goalkicking flyhalf, Sexton is Ireland’s second-highest points scorer and likely to finish at the top. Played a key role in Ireland’s historic win over the Wallabies in 2018 when International Player of the Year.

RIEKO IOANE

Latest in a long line of freakish All Blacks wingers. Blessed with the perfect combination of raw power and electric speed, Ioane has 23 tries in 26 Test appearances, and that includes a hat-trick against France last year. Was dropped for the Bledisloe Cup decider at Auckland’s Eden Park, so has work to do to get back into the starting line-up, but should score many a try in Japan.

PIETER-STEPH DU TOIT

The back-rower has played a big role in turning around the Springboks’ fortunes. Two years ago they were thrashed 57-0 by the All Blacks but the biggest margin in four matches since is two points. Athletic and with a huge work rate, Du Toit has been named South Africa’s player of the year twice after emerging as the seeming successor to Victor Matfield.

MARO ITOJE

At 24, he’s become the much-needed enforcer England have desperately missed since former skipper Martin Johnston retired. Already one of the best locks in rugby, he’s an unmistakeable presence on the field – a big man but with mobility and a high work rate, though he has a habit of giving away penalties which could be critical at the World Cup.

SEMI RADRADRA

The “Semi Trailer” is no stranger to NRL fans after his incredible exploits for Parramatta but Radradra is a relative newcomer to rugby. The 27-yearold winger has played six Tests for Fiji and scored three tries, though that is actually slow going for the try-scoring machine, who scored 82 times in 94 matches for the Eels.

GEORGE NORTH

One of the best wingers Wales has produced, North is still carving it up, nine years after he made his Test debut, with 40 tries from 88 Tests. He was a big part of Wales’ long winning streak which clinched them the grand slam and the world No.1 ranking, if only for a week. He’s the danger man for the Wallabies in the Pool D match that will decide Australia’s opponents for the quarter-finals.

KURTLEY BEALE

Love him or loathe him, Beale will play a big part in how deep the Wallabies go in the tournament. He’s taken over at fullback from Israel Folau and while his aerial skills aren’t as good, his kicking game and improvisation are superior. A throwback to the old days, Beale can be very hot and cold but he’s a critical cog. Played fantastically at the previous World Cup, so can rise to the occasion.