It’s the time for the Rugby World Cup again and I felt I should commemorate the occasion with some photographs of some of my favourite players. One of the great things about Rugby (apart from the sportsmanship, skill, fitness and dramatic action) is that there is something for everyone out there.

This is Ben Cohen in all his hairy glory. He’s a winger who won the World Cup with England in the last World Cup but isn’t taking part in this years because he is looking after his pregnant girlfriend (or maybe he’s just looking for an excuse not to join the England team because they’re a shambles at the moment).

Chris Cusiter. He plays Scrum Half for Scotland (maybe that was given away by the kilt). He’s been very unlucky with injuries recently but happily for me (also a Scot) he’s fit again and should be playing for Scotland in their next match.

Dan Carter, he’s generally accepted as being the best Fly Half in the world and plays for what is generally accepted as being the best team in the world, the All Blacks. If they don’t win the World Cup this time round they probably shouldn’t use their return tickets to New Zealand.

Freddie Michalak, he plays for the World Cup hosts, France. They were one of the favoured teams in the tournament until they were stuffed by the Argentineans on the opening day. On a good day he’s one of the best players around, on a bad day he’s a total flake.

Joe Worsley, an English flanker. He plays for the English Champions; Wasps. He is a tough, hard-working player. As you can probably tell from the broken nose he’s usually found in the thick of the action.

Olly Barkley. Sadly I couldn’t find a shirtless photo of him. An underrated number 10, he’s always been overshadowed by Jonny Wilkinson despite the fact that Jonny’s been almost permanently injured for the past 4 years. I thought Olly’s day had come after a good performance against the USA but a hip flexor injury has now ruled him out of Englands big game against South Africa. Oh well.

Well they are some of my favourites, I suppose I’m a bit biased towards UK players as they are the one’s I see most often. Do you feel I’ve left anyone out? I’ve no doubt that I have!