The Gamebreakers

Rugby writer Wynne Gray runs his eye over the six players who, perhaps more than any others, hold the key to their countries World Cup hopes – the men in the No 10.

THOMAS CASTAIGNEDE

The 24-year-old former chemistry student will be looking to mix up magic World Cup potions after the poor French form earlier this season. Plays centre for his club but in the more robust world of international rugby is better suited to five eighths. Stands out for his dyed blond hair as much as for his flamboyant rugby style. Made his test debut in 1995.

HENRY HONIBALL

The man with the nickname of Lem or Blade because of the way he slices up defences. Also chops down attacks with his strong defence and was missed badly by the Springboks in their recent tests. A quiet man who runs a sheep and cattle farm inland from Durban, he was distressed when his best friend Gary Teichmann was axed from the Boks. Thought about quitting himself as he recovered from an ankle injury but persuaded to continue.

NEIL JENKINS

The 28-year-old PR consultant has been in the international arena since 1991. Might sport one of the world's worst haircuts but is one of the most accurate goalkickers in the world. Sits just shy of Michael Lynagh's world record 911 points in tests and will surely break that mark at the World Cup. Landed the first points at the Millennium Stadium when Wales opened the ground with a shock win against the Springboks earlier this year.

STEPHEN LARKHAM

When Wallaby coach Rod Macqueen switched Larkham from fullback to first five-eighths last season, it was acknowledged as a selection masterstroke. It was also a remarkable progress for the 25-year-old who was playing halfback for his club's reserve side as recently as 1995. A gifted runner with beautiful balance, Larkham loves attacking defences but needs to work on some of his kicking. Missed most of the Super 12 and Tri-Nations because of a knee injury but now back and firing.

ANDREW MEHRTENS

With 515 test points Mehrtens is closing on Grant Fox's All Black record of 645. The 26-year-old was a star of the last World Cup as a fledgling test player and since than has consolidated his position as the best five eighths in New Zealand. A key man in the Crusaders' successive Super 12 titles with an 82 per cent kicking success rate this season. Has an accomplished all-round game with speed and vision to go with his kicking excellence.

JONNY WILKINSON

Has been touted for some time as England's five eighths answer by none other than Rob Andrew, who just happened to be his chief executive and mentor at the Newcastle club. Used as a centre on the disastrous England tour downunder last year but shifted into five eighths where the selectors will have to choose between his instinctive, natural talents and useful goalkicking against the experience, solidity and control of Paul Grayson.