...and five newcomers to keep an eye on:

Reece Hodge (Australia):

The powerful, long-striding wing only made his Test debut last year but has already logged up 20 Test match appearances and become a key member of the Wallabies team. Knows where the try line is and a big kick specialist, as he demonstrated with his match-winning 53m effort against New Zealand the other week.

Ian McKinley (Italy):

The promising former Leinster fly-half, left, feared his career was over when he was blinded in his left eye but found salvation in Italy where he was allowed to play wearing specially designed goggles. His comeback was slow and steady but now he is producing the goods for Benetton and is poised to make his Test debut.

Afaso Aumua (New Zealand):

New Zealand already have two of the world’s best hookers in Dane Coles and Codie Taylor but barring serious injury this incredible youngster should be their starter at RWC2019. Can run and carry like a Test class centre but tough and durable up front. The only ‘unknown’ is the long term quality of his lineout throwing.

Antoine Dupont (France):

France have a trio of brilliant young 9s - Antoine Dupont, Baptiste Serin and Charlie Cassang – cast in the “Petit general” mould and Dupont, who moved to Toulouse from Castres in the summer, will possibly be the first to get a prolonged chance to strut his stuff. Wonderful allround talent.

Gela Aprasidze (Georgia):

You wait for years for a scrum-half to come along and suddenly Georgia have two young tyros in Aprasidze – just 19 – and Vasil Lobzhande at Brive. The elusive Aprasidze used his pace to score the try of the tournament at this year’s Junior World Cup after which the big clubs tried to swoop. Except Montpellier clocked him in 2016 and already had his signature!