Always a good talking point, Eurosport selects a World XV based on the evidence of the recently completed World Cup. No real surprises, except perhaps for the absence of one Jonny Wilkinson.

1 Loosehead prop - Andrew Sheridan (ENG)

Quite simply the best forward in the tournament. The former Dulwich schoolboy (pictured) came of age at the World Cup and the Wallabies front row are probably still creaking after their quarter-final demolition at the hands of the Sale giant. Always a handful in the scrum, Sheridan is now far more prominent in the loose and his powerful drives often take out two defenders. A giant of a man and a giant of a player.

2 Hooker - John Smit (capt) (RSA)

A close call this one between Smit and Argentina's Mario Ledesma. The Pumas hooker was in outstanding form for the high-achieving South Americans, but Smit gets the nod for his captaincy skills and also for the 18 ½ stone he adds to the front row. Hookers need to be big oaks these days and they don't come much bigger than Smit. He gave ample evidence of his leadership skills when the Boks overcame tricky moments against Tonga and Fiji, and he was a crucial part of a South African lineout effort that swept all before them.

3 Tighthead prop - Carl Hayman (NZ)

The World Cup may not have gone quite as planned for the soon-to-be Newcastle Falcon, but Hayman's reputation as the game's finest tighthead is still in tact. Not only was the 45-times capped Hayman the cornerstone of the All Blacks pack, his work-rate around the pitch is quite outstanding. Like Sheridan, Hayman is a big, big man and a real handful for opposition defences.

4 Lock - Victor Matfield (RSA)

More than any other player, South Africa have Matfield to thank for their World Cup success. Matfield has led the Springboks lineout for a number of seasons and in France it lived up to its reputation as the most reliable in the game. With fellow lock Bakkies Botha, Matfield was so dominant on the Boks throw and attacking the opposition throw, that they were able to retreat to this set piece time and again when the going got tough, especially in the final against England. Also made the tackle that stopped Matthew Tait from scoring.

5 Lock - Simon Shaw (ENG)

Shaw's career has suffered from comparison with Martin Johnson, but at this World Cup he finally came out of the shadow of the former England skipper. Shaw was immense in England's unexpected route to the final, proving a reliable front jumper at the lineout and causing chaos in attack. A superb footballer for a big man, Shaw was at the forefront of all of England's forward play and proved a real nuisance in defence. Finally received the recognition he has long deserved.

6 Blindside flanker - Schalk Burger (RSA)

Maybe not as prominent at the World Cup as some had been expecting, but his unbridled enthusiasm and relentless motion are a must for any team. A huge influence both in defence and with the ball in hand, Burger possesses in abundance all the qualities we admire about South African rugby. A supreme athlete and a supreme competitor, Burger's contribution to the Springboks World Cup triumph should not be underestimated.

7 Openside flanker - Juan Smith (RSA)

Arguably South Africa's player of the World Cup, Smith was at the heart of everything that was good about the Springboks' play. A quiet man who goes about his business with devastating effect, Smith has a keen eye for the try-line, touching down four times during the World Cup, including crucial scores against Tonga and Fiji when the Boks were under the cosh. Big for an openside, Smith is a destructive tackler who will tackle all day, go to bed and then tackle all day again.

8 Number eight - Rodney So'oialo (NZ)

Part of a New Zealand side that really should have done better at the World Cup, the hard-hitting So'oialo gets the vote ahead of his fellow Pacific Islander Finau Maka of Tonga. So'oialo was immense during the All Blacks' quarter-final defeat to France and the World Cup favourites should have closed out the game after he had given them the lead with his try just after the hour mark. A fine footballer, So'oialo is equally at home with the ball in hand or producing the bone crunching tackles that seem part of his birth right.

9 Scrum-half - Fourie du Preez (RSA)

The form scrum-half in France, du Preez was immense in South Africa's pool victory over England, a win that set the Springboks on the way to World Cup glory. Du Preez possesses all the skills required by a world class scrum-half - a reliable delivery, excellent boot and pace off the mark that makes him a constant threat around the fringes. Du Preez may have been well marshalled in the final, but his performances in earlier games was outstanding, not least his try-scoring efforts against England and Argentina.

10 Fly-half - Juan Martin Hernandez (ARG)

Jonny Wilkinson may have been the people's favourite at fly-half, but Hernandez demands inclusion for his sublime range of skills. A superb athlete who does not fit the usual mould of fly-halves, Hernandez was one of the players of the World Cup, and he was playing out of position! The Stade Francais back glides across the ground at deceptive speed and has arguably the finest boot in the game. He is also a huge defender, throwing all of his 6'1" frame into collisions that make opponents think twice before coming down the number 10 channel.

11 Left wing - Bryan Habana (RSA)

The IRB's recently crowned Player of the Year, Habana is the outstanding try scorer in world rugby at the moment. One of the quickest men ever to play the game, Habana simply loves touching down, as his record-equalling haul of eight tries proves. Like all great wings, Habana is not afraid to go looking for work and although he may have long periods of inactivity stuck out on the wing, his explosive pace makes him a constant threat. Like all South Africans he also appreciates the physical aspects of the game. A real gem.

12 Inside centre - Luke McAlister (NZ)

One of only a few All Blacks to leave the World Cup with his reputation enhanced, McAlister is a supreme footballer who can play anywhere is the back line, except for maybe wing. A genuine line breaker with both power and speed, McAlister also has the full range of passing and kicking skills. Soon to be at Sale, McAlister scored one of the tries of the tournament against France in the quarter-finals and could have been one of the World Cup's stand out players had the All Blacks progressed further. Looks set to light up the Guinness Premiership this season.

13 Outside centre - Stirling Mortlock (AUS)

A great player and a great competitor, Mortlock represents everything that is good about Australian sport. One of the best line-breakers in the game, Mortlock is also a very effective defender – just ask Wales captain Gareth Thomas, who felt the wrath of Mortlock's defence after he had illegally taken out his young team-mate Berrick Barnes off the ball. Mortlock was a constant threat in the Wallabies' quarter-final defeat to England, and although he failed with a last-minute penalty to win the game he is entrusted with the kicking duties for this XV.

14 Right wing - Vilimoni Delasau (FIJ)

A proven try-scorer, Delasau gets the nod for the way he simply refused to accept defeat when Fiji had gone behind to Wales in their winner-takes-all pool clash. A powerful and intelligent runner, Delasau was also a real handful against South Africa in the quarter-finals when his try sparked a comeback that almost rocked the eventual champions.

15 Full-back - Jason Robinson (ENG)

'Billy Whizz' has been a revelation since switching from rugby league, and although now retired he will be remembered as one of the greats of the game. Robinson had the ability to produce the unexpected and was the only England player to emerge in credit after their humiliating pool defeat to South Africa. Supreme under the high ball and also a reliable kicker, England's chances of winning the World Cup final were badly affected was he was forced off with a shoulder injury.

Terence O'Rorke / Eurosport