Richie McCaw is "Mr. Rugby." The New Zealand captain is a three-time IRB world player of the year and an inspiration to his teammates. He will lead the All Blacks' title defense in England <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fedition.cnn.com%2F2012%2F12%2F19%2Fsport%2Frichie-mccaw-all-blacks-rugby%2F" target="_blank">after his heroic efforts on home soil four years ago. </a>The 34-year-old is the most capped international player of all time.
Richie McCaw is "Mr. Rugby." The New Zealand captain is a three-time IRB world player of the year and an inspiration to his teammates. He will lead the All Blacks' title defense in England after his heroic efforts on home soil four years ago. The 34-year-old is the most capped international player of all time.
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If Wales is to enjoy success at the World Cup then you can bet George North will be one of the main factors behind it. The winger was the first teenager in the history of international rugby to score 10 tries before his 20th birthday. Now 23, he is lethal when given space and difficult to stop once he gets his groove on, though he has been hampered by multiple concussions in the past year.
If Wales is to enjoy success at the World Cup then you can bet George North will be one of the main factors behind it. The winger was the first teenager in the history of international rugby to score 10 tries before his 20th birthday. Now 23, he is lethal when given space and difficult to stop once he gets his groove on, though he has been hampered by multiple concussions in the past year.
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Kieran Read is widely regarded as one of the best forwards in the game and an integral part of the New Zealand side. The 29-year-old was named international rugby player of the year in 2013 and cites Barcelona soccer star Lionel Messi as one of his inspirations. The No. 8 is expected to succeed McCaw as All Blacks skipper.
Kieran Read is widely regarded as one of the best forwards in the game and an integral part of the New Zealand side. The 29-year-old was named international rugby player of the year in 2013 and cites Barcelona soccer star Lionel Messi as one of his inspirations. The No. 8 is expected to succeed McCaw as All Blacks skipper.
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He might be the new kid on the block but 22-year-old George Ford has earned rave reviews for host England. The fly-half starred in his country's Six Nations campaign and scored 25 points against France last March, giving him the edge for the No. 10 shirt ahead of rival Owen Farrell.
He might be the new kid on the block but 22-year-old George Ford has earned rave reviews for host England. The fly-half starred in his country's Six Nations campaign and scored 25 points against France last March, giving him the edge for the No. 10 shirt ahead of rival Owen Farrell.
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Nobody has scored more points in international rugby than Dan Carter. The two-time world player of the year has graced the sport with his wide array of skills since making his All Blacks debut back in 2003. However, the goal-kicking fly-half has suffered injuries and disappointment on the game's biggest stage, being sidelined during the group stage in 2011. Like McCaw, this is expected to be his international farewell.
Nobody has scored more points in international rugby than Dan Carter. The two-time world player of the year has graced the sport with his wide array of skills since making his All Blacks debut back in 2003. However, the goal-kicking fly-half has suffered injuries and disappointment on the game's biggest stage, being sidelined during the group stage in 2011. Like McCaw, this is expected to be his international farewell.
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Mamuka Gorgodze will lead the charge for rugby minnow Georgia, which qualified for the tournament with nine victories and one defeat. Georgia has only managed two World Cup wins, including 2007's 30-0 thrashing of Namibia. Gorgodze, who plays for French and European champion Toulon, is nicknamed "Gorgodzilla" due to the forward's sheer size.
Mamuka Gorgodze will lead the charge for rugby minnow Georgia, which qualified for the tournament with nine victories and one defeat. Georgia has only managed two World Cup wins, including 2007's 30-0 thrashing of Namibia. Gorgodze, who plays for French and European champion Toulon, is nicknamed "Gorgodzilla" due to the forward's sheer size.
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He's the star of the U.S. Eagles and Samu Manoa is ready to prove it on the biggest stage after missing the 2011 event due to his contract with English club Northampton. The 30-year-old forward, born in California, is well known for his fierce tackles and physical prowess. He recently signed for Toulon.
He's the star of the U.S. Eagles and Samu Manoa is ready to prove it on the biggest stage after missing the 2011 event due to his contract with English club Northampton. The 30-year-old forward, born in California, is well known for his fierce tackles and physical prowess. He recently signed for Toulon.
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Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe, one of Argentina's greatest players, made his international debut in 2004. The 33-year-old back-row forward, who also plays for Toulon, was part of the team which reached the semifinals of the 2007 World Cup and the last eight in 2011 -- when he was ruled out ahead of the final group match with a serious knee injury.
Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe, one of Argentina's greatest players, made his international debut in 2004. The 33-year-old back-row forward, who also plays for Toulon, was part of the team which reached the semifinals of the 2007 World Cup and the last eight in 2011 -- when he was ruled out ahead of the final group match with a serious knee injury.
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Sam Warburton led Wales to the 2011 semifinals but was sent off early in the match against France. The 26-year-old forward will again be captain of a team missing injured key players such as Leigh Halfpenny and Rhys Webb.
Sam Warburton led Wales to the 2011 semifinals but was sent off early in the match against France. The 26-year-old forward will again be captain of a team missing injured key players such as Leigh Halfpenny and Rhys Webb.
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Tevita Kuridrani has the potential to be one of the stars of the tournament for Australia. The Fiji-born center is the cousin of former Wallabies winger Lote Tuqiri. Since making his debut against New Zealand in 2013, the Brumbies back has established himself following a five-week ban for a dangerous tackle against Ireland that year.
Tevita Kuridrani has the potential to be one of the stars of the tournament for Australia. The Fiji-born center is the cousin of former Wallabies winger Lote Tuqiri. Since making his debut against New Zealand in 2013, the Brumbies back has established himself following a five-week ban for a dangerous tackle against Ireland that year.
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Johnny Sexton is arguably the best fly-half in world rugby at the moment. The 30-year-old helped inspire Ireland to successive Six Nations titles in 2014-15 and his performances will be key as his country seeks to get past the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time.
Johnny Sexton is arguably the best fly-half in world rugby at the moment. The 30-year-old helped inspire Ireland to successive Six Nations titles in 2014-15 and his performances will be key as his country seeks to get past the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time.
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South Africa will have Duane Vermeulen back after neck surgery to spearhead its challenge in his first World Cup. The No. 8 was the team's player of the year in 2014 and is crucial to its success. Vermeulen, known for his powerful approach, will join Toulon after the tournament.
South Africa will have Duane Vermeulen back after neck surgery to spearhead its challenge in his first World Cup. The No. 8 was the team's player of the year in 2014 and is crucial to its success. Vermeulen, known for his powerful approach, will join Toulon after the tournament.
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There are few more exciting players in the world of rugby than Israel Folau. The Australia fullback, who has spoken of his desire to move to the NFL in the future, has pace to burn. At 26, he's at the peak of his powers, and has also represented his country in rugby league.
There are few more exciting players in the world of rugby than Israel Folau. The Australia fullback, who has spoken of his desire to move to the NFL in the future, has pace to burn. At 26, he's at the peak of his powers, and has also represented his country in rugby league.
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South Africa is not short on star quality but this could be Willie le Roux's time to shine upon the big stage. The 26-year-old, who made his debut in 2013, can play at wing, fullback and fly-half, and has the ability to change a game.<br />
South Africa is not short on star quality but this could be Willie le Roux's time to shine upon the big stage. The 26-year-old, who made his debut in 2013, can play at wing, fullback and fly-half, and has the ability to change a game.
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Namibia might be the weakest team in the tournament but it does have inspirational loose forward Jacques Burger as captain. The tough-tackling 32-year-old, who plays for top English club Saracens, will feature at his third World Cup. The African side will need all his experience for its first game against New Zealand.
Namibia might be the weakest team in the tournament but it does have inspirational loose forward Jacques Burger as captain. The tough-tackling 32-year-old, who plays for top English club Saracens, will feature at his third World Cup. The African side will need all his experience for its first game against New Zealand.
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Vice-captain Vereniki Goneva is one of Fiji's main men. The 31-year-old, who can play on the wing and at center, made his international debut back in 2007 and scored four tries against Namibia at the 2011 World Cup. His experience playing for Leicester could be key in Fiji's opening game against host England at Twickenham.
Vice-captain Vereniki Goneva is one of Fiji's main men. The 31-year-old, who can play on the wing and at center, made his international debut back in 2007 and scored four tries against Namibia at the 2011 World Cup. His experience playing for Leicester could be key in Fiji's opening game against host England at Twickenham.
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Wesley Fofana will be a key man as France looks to go one better than its World Cup final defeat by New Zealand four years ago. The Clermont center, who is of Malian descent and is nicknamed "The Cheetah," has the potential to thrill and excite at every twist and turn.
Wesley Fofana will be a key man as France looks to go one better than its World Cup final defeat by New Zealand four years ago. The Clermont center, who is of Malian descent and is nicknamed "The Cheetah," has the potential to thrill and excite at every twist and turn.
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Veteran forward Sergio Parisse will help lead Italy's challenge at the World Cup. The back-rower was born in Argentina to Italian parents before moving back to Europe. Also captain of French club Stade Francais, his power and experience will be key to Italy's chances of progressing from the group stage for the first time.
Veteran forward Sergio Parisse will help lead Italy's challenge at the World Cup. The back-rower was born in Argentina to Italian parents before moving back to Europe. Also captain of French club Stade Francais, his power and experience will be key to Italy's chances of progressing from the group stage for the first time.
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Tonga winger Fetu'u Vainikolo knows all about playing rugby in England after spending two years with Exeter Chiefs. He started his career in New Zealand before moving to Ireland, and will next play for French club Oyonnax. At 30, this might be his final chance to shine at a World Cup, having played in 2011 as the Pacific Islanders once again exited in the group stage.
Tonga winger Fetu'u Vainikolo knows all about playing rugby in England after spending two years with Exeter Chiefs. He started his career in New Zealand before moving to Ireland, and will next play for French club Oyonnax. At 30, this might be his final chance to shine at a World Cup, having played in 2011 as the Pacific Islanders once again exited in the group stage.
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George Pisi is one of three brothers set to feature for Samoa at the 2015 World Cup. George, who plays at center, is one of the nation's most talented players. He plays with younger sibling Ken at English club Northampton, while Japan-based Tusi -- at 33 the oldest of the trio -- is also among the backs in the squad. Consistently inconsistent, Samoa could be brilliant ... or awful. It last reached the quarterfinals when the tournament was held in South Africa in 1995.
George Pisi is one of three brothers set to feature for Samoa at the 2015 World Cup. George, who plays at center, is one of the nation's most talented players. He plays with younger sibling Ken at English club Northampton, while Japan-based Tusi -- at 33 the oldest of the trio -- is also among the backs in the squad. Consistently inconsistent, Samoa could be brilliant ... or awful. It last reached the quarterfinals when the tournament was held in South Africa in 1995.
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