KEY POINTS:
TOM REES
ENGLAND
Made his debut off the bench against Scotland last February.
When he started his first test against France he was named man of the match.
Part of the Wasps team which won the Heineken Cup. At 1.84m and 98kg, the 22-year-old is a decent size and he's quick, which is one element in seriously short supply in the English pack. Amid the behemoths, they need someone who can shift round the park and Rees, who represented England through the age group levels and captained them at under 21, fits the bill. He's the only genuine No 7 and looks a class act with plenty of vim and vigour to his game.
YANNICK NYANGA
FRANCE
A lively breakaway back in favour after being overlooked since being part of a losing team to Wales in March 2006.
At 1.87m and 94kg, the 23-year-old is pacy, a hard runner with the ball and capable of mixing it in the hard stuff.
Nyanga made his debut against the United States three years ago and has played 21 internationals going into the cup.
If coach Bernard Laporte wants pace round the park, Nyanga is his man; if not, he could sit out much of the cup, which would be a pity as he's a decent footballer who can make an impact.
DENIS LEAMY
IRELAND
A Munsterman, and their forwards tend to be the raw-boned type.
Leamy, 25, made his debut three years ago and he appeared in both tests against the All Blacks early last year, either of which could have been won but weren't. At 1.88m and 108kg, he's a big man and combines good ball skills with a robust philosophy.
He's spent time at No 8 and openside flanker for Ireland and, as he's coming into his prime, we can expect big things from the man from Tipperary.
JAMES HOOK
WALES
Stephen Jones is Wales' established first five-eighth. He's pretty handy too but has had some injury niggles.
The problem is there's a large chunk of Wales who rather fancy the new face in the most hallowed of Welsh rugby jerseys and Hook is good. Seven of his 15 caps have been won at second five-eighth, five at first-five, three off the bench.
Hook is 22, 1.83m tall and 90kg and plays for Ospreys, outside former All Black halfback Justin Marshall.
Hook made his debut as a replacement against Argentina 14 months ago. Sound judges rate him highly. "He's the type of player who gets people out of their seats. He always seems to have time on the ball," said former Welsh great Jonathan Davies.
The world stage beckons.
ALESANI TUILAGI
SAMOA
Leicester's powerhouse winger looms as a dynamic World Cup figure.
Tuilagi was named player of the season by Leicester's club members, scored 11 tries and appeared in three finals, helping Leicester to the premiership title and the EDFE final, before losing the Heineken Cup final 25-9 to Wasps.
He's one of three Tuilagi brothers in the Samoan squad along with Leicester clubmate, powerful forward Henry, and Leeds centre Aintelea.
At 1.85m and 113kg, there's plenty of him. His style is direct and he's been dubbed the "new Lomu" in England, which is of course rubbish. Still, he'll be a handful for most defences.
