With just under 15 days until the start of the Rugby World Cup in England, we take a look at some of new names in international rugby who look to feature on the World's biggest stage.
Tadhg Furlong (Ireland)
Furlong, a 22 year old originally from Co.Wexford has had a progressive 12 months, becoming a more prominent figure for Leinster when asked to stand in for the likes of Mike Ross or Marty Moore.
The Clontarf local made his full Irish debut against Wales at the Aviva Stadium in a 16-10 defeat yet was named in Joe Schmidt's 31 man squad just 4 days later. With Marty Moore out and Healy a fitness doubt for the World Cup the young prop could yet have a big part to play.
Sam Burgess (England)
Sam Burgess has probably been the most talked about bolter for this year's World Cup. The league convert made a money spinning move from the South Sidney Rabitohs in the NRL to Bath in the Aviva Premiership back in August. Burgess' debut was pushed back until December as he recovered from a broken eye socket which he suffered in his final NRL game with the Rabitohs.
Since Burgess has been swapped between positions of flanker and centre for Bath and England. Where as most feel he is more useful in the flanker role, Stuart Lancaster has proceeded to play him at inside centre and handed him his test debut in the number 12 shirt against France last month. A lot of England fans are on the fence whether it is the correct decision to bring Slammin' Sam to the World Cup but I guess time will tell.
Wasaike Naholo (New Zealand)
New Zealand have Fiji to owe for this one, fijian medicine that is of course. After a blistering title winning season in Super Rugby, Naholo was widely tipped to be a prominent figure in the All Blacks Rugby Championship plans.
Naholo suffered the injury on his New Zealand debut on July 15 and was given no hope of making the All Blacks World Cup squad but, a mere six weeks later, the 24-year-old took his place on stage yesterday alongside the 30 other members of coach Steve Hansen's squad.
But Naholo's uncle, Isei Naiova, told AFP asked that he come back to his homeland for traditional treatment and that he had no doubt that his age-old methods would restore his nephew to health in time.
"A lot of people don't know about this healing process and to them it is a miracle cure," Naiova said. "To me and my family it's simply making use of the gift from God and the traditional leaf.
"The kawakawarau leaf grows here in the village, but only some people like myself and my family members can heal injured people by this leaf because we have the gift from God. I have healed many Fijian rugby players and I have seen players recover well and play rugby like nothing happened to them.
"From the time Naholo came here, I had no doubt he would play at the World Cup. I have seen this healing power work ... and I thank New Zealand Rugby for allowing him to come to me and be healed."
John Hardie (Scotland)
With just 57 minutes of rugby in a Scottish jersey under his belt and without being attached to a club in Scotland, it has to be said this is a brave move from Vern Cotter. Cotter has opted for the kiwi flanker over the likes of Blare Cowan & Johnnie Beatie.
Cowan may feel hard done by after featuring in all 5 of Scotland's 6 Nations games but it will be interesting to see how the ex- Highlanders man Hardie fairs.
Vasil Lobzhanidze (Georgia)
Here's one that has gone under the radar slightly...
Georgian teenager Vasil Lobzhanidze is set to become the youngest player in Rugby World Cup history after being named in the Lelos’ 31-man squad for England 2015.
The scrum-half does not turn 19 until after the climax of the pool stages of RWC 2015 and if he plays would become the first 18-year-old to grace rugby's showpiece event.
Pretty impressive feat for the young Georgian if he is to make an appearance.
