These are the No 10s that I am backing to light up the World Cup

GEORGE FORD (ENGLAND): Young and still learning the game, Ford has sumptuous skills going forward and is as good if not better than anyone on the front foot. What we don’t know yet is if he has the nous and game-management to win a match for England when they are on the back foot and struggling a little for parity.

JOHNNY SEXTON (IRELAND): I’m a huge Sexton fan and when fit and firing I would rate him as the world’s best allround 10. His half-back partnership with Conor Murray is key and Ireland will hope they steer clear of injuries. Has fluffed the occasional big pressure kick which is a slight worry. FREDERIC MICHALAK (FRANCE): We targeted him unmercifully in 2003 and I can only doff my hat to see him back again 12 years later. Nobody has ever doubted his playmaking talent and with the French pack finally flexing its muscles he might get plenty of ball on the front foot.

DAN CARTER (NEW ZEALAND): Produced the best display I’ve ever seen from a 10 against the Lions in 2005, and one of the worst I’ve seen from a New Zealand player in 2012. Fit and determined, I fancy we’ll see an older, slightly slower, but wiser version of

Carter circa 2005. BERNARD FOLEY (AUSTRALIA): Tempting to start with Quade Cooper but I’m convinced Australia will pick Foley, who is a very good organiser and brings a bit of order to a richly talented back line of playmakers and strong runners. Look out for Cooper coming off the bench though.