The back row combination of any side is an integral part of the team and their ability to win their individual contests within a game will have a large bearing on the overall result of the match.
The lynch pin of both defence and attack, back rowers need to be quick, strong and have the ability to change the rhythm of their opponent’s attack.
Importantly, they must have the endurance to cover great areas of ground and be seen to be “everywhere.”
Between each other, the secret to a successful back rowers' combination is communication. Throughout rugby’s history there have been many famous back rowers who have led distinguished careers.
England
England can put a lot of their favouritism for RWC 2003 down to their back row of Neil Back, Richard Hill and Lawrence Dallaglio whose combination of 34 test matches together makes them the most experienced back row in history.
Having played together since 29 November 1997 the trio will continue to add to their tally this year.
Prior to their current group of record breakers England also produced the back row of Peter Dixon, Tony Neary and Andy Ripley, who with 12 tests together are the second most experienced grouping in England’s Rugby history.
New Zealand
New Zealanders always remember with fondness back rower Wayne Shelford, who not only won the RWC in 1987, but also partnered Alan Wetton and Michael Jones for 13 tests between May 22 1987 and 29 July 1989.
Michael Jones then went on to combine with legendary number 8 Zinzan Brooke and Josh Kronfeld for a further 10 tests - the same number that Kronfeld and Brooke then played with Taine Randall.
France and Australia
Both France and Australia have produced a high quality of back rowers. The French were represented by Jean Pierre Rives, Jean Claude Skrela and Jean Pierre Bastiat for 18 tests in the 1970s.
For the hosts of RWC 2003, Australia, the combination of David Wilson, Toutai Kefu and Matt Cockbain is the most experienced combination of all time with 17 tests together.
Toutai Kefu was a notable omission from the Australian squad for the RWC after he was injured in the Tri Nations, an injury which finally ended his Wallabies career. Kefu also played 14 tests with George Smith and Owen Finegan between June 2001 and August 2002.
Argentina
The Pumas have built much of their domination of South America rugby on their strong back rowers. The Iron Man of the Argentinian line up is Rolando Martin. Incredibly Martin has played in 79 of the last 88 test matches for the Pumas.
This means that since his debut in May 1994, he has featured in 90 percent of his nations matches.
Between May 28, 1994 and October 21, 1995 Martin was selected alongside Jose Santamarina and Christian Viel Temperley for 12 tests.
Still adding to his record, Martin has now been combined with Santiago Phelan and Gonzalo Longo.
The trio’s last match together was on August 30 this year when the Pumas played Canada in the Pan American Cup in Buenos Aires.
Having played 19 test matches together the combination will be looking to add to their total when they are involved in the first game of the RWC when they play Australia on October 10 at Telstra Stadium.