The 2003 Rugby World Cup unearthed some stunning new talent and confirmed world class status on players already established.
Rugbyworldcup.com takes a glimpse into the future to look at players we expect to set the fields of France alight at the next RWC in four years.
Starting at the top, few of the England team that brought the Webb Ellis Cup to the Northern Hemisphere for the first time will be there to defend the crown in 2007 due to retirements.
Wilkinson a winner
Fortunately for the Red Roses their biggest star will, barring injury, be there to exert his compelling influence on proceedings.
Despite his 52 caps and an England record 817 Test points Jonny Wilkinson is only 25 and, scaringly for all international teams, yet to hit his prime.
He was simply outstanding when it counted at the 2003 RWC, kicking all his side’s points in the semi final against France and nailing the winning drop goal in the last minute of extra time to snatch victory against Australia in the epic final.
The newly annointed IRB International player of the year has the focus and work ethic second to none and will only get better with age.
Up front prop hulking hooker Steve Thompson will be the cornerstone around which the English pack will be rebuilt for their defence of the RWC in 2007.
The 25 year old is just a baby among the gnarled band of veterans and has been a revelation since switching from loose forward four years ago.
Aussie flanker simply Waugh-some
For the beaten finalists Australia twin dynamos Phil Waugh and George Smith should still be creating merry havoc at the breakdown and amongst opposition backlines in four years.
At only 24 Waugh has already been touted as the heir apparent to captain George Gregan while 23 year old Smith has been tipped to move to the back of the scrum after already making a seamless transition from openside to blindside to accommodate the talents of Waugh.
All Blacks turn to a flyer and a flanker
The All Blacks will look to the game busting talents of flying wing Joe Rokocoko and flanker Richie McCaw to erase the disappointment of missing out on RWC glory in 2003.
Just turned 20, Rokocoko’s rise has been nothing short of meteoric.
Still to play NPC for his province Auckland, the speedster has amassed 17 tries in just 12 Tests including six at the 2003 RWC in his debut international season.
McCaw confirmed his reputation as the best openside marauder in the world at the moment with an outstanding RWC campaign.
It would be no surprise to see the 22 year old captain the 2007 Blacks such is the maturity, poise and inspiration he brings to the game.
RWC’s always unearth a handful of stars relatively unknown outside their own country before the Tournament but on everybody’s lips after it.
French can fly high
French fly half Frederic Michalak is one such player. The 21 year old showed the composure of a veteran throughout his team’s domination of pool play and will be the better player for the experience of being taught a lesson by master Wilkinson in the semi final defeat to England.
It is a testament to his ability that the young Les Bleus number 8 is a household name despite it being such a hard one to pronounce.
Imanol Harinordoquy, 23, was a pivotal player in what many consider to be the most potent back three in world rugby alongside Serge Betsen and Olivier Magne.
An all rounder Harinordoquy can take lineout ball, cut opposition backs in half or run it up strongly from the base of the scrum in equal measure.
More than just Irish eyes on O'Driscoll
Ireland were again the nearly team in RWC 2003 with their heart stopping 18-17 loss to Australia in pool play stalling their momentum in the Tournament.
Brian O’Driscoll embellished his reputation as the best centre in the world with another show stopping Tournament in both defence and attack, and is all set to take over the mantle as captain from the retired Keith Wood.
Giant young second row Paul O’Connell put himself on the map with an impressive campaign to establish himself as one of the best ball winners in the business.
The 24 year old Munster man is as strong as he is skilled and will there to lead the forwards in 2007.
Hougaard rocks for the Boks
Derick Hougaard burst onto the scene at the 2003 RWC to add to an impressive array of young fly half talent around the world at the moment.
The 20 year old Springbok made his international debut at the RWC and never took a backward step as an elusive runner with an adroit kicking game.
The loss of brilliant young loose forward Joe Van Niekerk through injury was a huge blow from which South Africa never recovered.
The 23 year old was forced home after wounding his knee in the last pool match against Samoa.
Throughout the Tournament he demonstrated his uncanny ability to be in the right place at the right time throughout his matches. His nation will be hoping he makes a speedy recovery.
Thomas leads Welsh renaissance
The Welsh renaissance was one of the stories of the Tournament.
The Red Dragons were a revelation against both the All Blacks in the final match of Pool D and England in the following week’s quarter final.
Despite losing both games the rousing displays restored pride back to the valleys and one of the chief reasons for that was 21 year old loose forward Jonathan Thomas.
The rangy player was everywhere on attack and defence at blindside flanker against New Zealand and was there again to launch raid after raid at number 8 against England.
The performance of Thomas and his follow forwards paved the way for wing Shane Williams to demonstrate his attacking prowess out wide.
The diminutive 26 year old speed machine found gaps in the world’s best defensive screens and will be one to look for when 2007 rolls around.
Albacete pounces for Pumas
Argentina’s Patricio Albacete made giant strides during the 2003 RWC. At just 22 the 200cm, 115 kg second rower was handed the awesome responsibility of starting the game that opened the RWC against defending champs Australia and acquitted himself well.
He is sure to be a big presence in the Los Pumas’ engine room for their next assault on the Webb Ellis Cup.
Although he had limited opportunity at the 2003 Tournament, Argentine fullback Juan Hernandez promises much for the future.
A big custodian, he demonstrated safe hands under the high ball and a nose for the gap.
A new braveheart
Scotland number 8 Simon Taylor looked to the manor born at the biggest Tournament in rugby.
The 23 year old showed tremendous ball handling skills and positional knack to revel as the perfect linkman between forwards and backs.
Caucau ignites
Well before the Tournament kicked off Fijian flyer Rupeni Caucau was a superstar after his try scoring feats with the victorious Auckland Blues in this year’s Super 12.
Although still recovering from a leg injury and suspended for two matches after an incident in Fiji’s opening pool match against France, Caucau demonstrated why he is considered the most dangerous attacking weapon in world rugby with three audacious tries (one against France and two against Scotland) in just two Tournament outings.
Another Pacific Island weapon out wide was Samoan speedster Sailosi Tagicakibau.
At 193 cm tall and 97 kgs the wing has similar physical attributes to a young Jonah Lomu and could well develop into as devastating a player if he continues to progress towards 2007.
Rest assured the future of world rugby is in safe hands.