The Top 100 returns again this week with its next edition, this time counting down the players ranked 80 to 71, concluding last week with Welsh and Ospreys break away Dan Lydiate.

80. Owen Franks (NZL) – Tighthead Prop
Carl who? Not a phrase a lot of Kiwis would have expected themselves to utter, especially as tighthead stalwart Hayman decided to pack his bags for Toulon just after the 2007 World Cup, leaving New Zealand without a world class scrum anchor.

However, they had little to fear, as Cantabrian Owen Franks emerged in the nick of time before the 2011 Rugby World Cup, enjoying a brilliant campaign as the All Blacks marched to their second title. Retrospectively, it should come as little surprise that Franks adapted so well to the international environment, as his phenomenal strength and seemingly perfect technique and build for the set piece makes him the right mould for a tighthead.

Tough and uncompromising, it is only now, four years down the line, that Franks has genuine competition for his starting jersey coming in the form of Charlie Faumuina. However, the two big men offer different skill sets, with Franks a more traditional and technical type player, which has been the All Blacks’ preference over the last decade.

That should see him continue his run as the number one preference, especially given the close-quarter type play typical of World Cups. With that in mind, if Franks continues to wreak havoc upon opposition scrums like he currently does, he could be responsible for a large amount of points accrued, which may just make the difference in a knockout match.

79. Adam Ashley-Cooper (AUS) – Centre/Wing
The most capped player in the Wallaby squad, Ashley-Cooper’s experience could be vital come World Cup time. A player who rises for the big occasion, as shown in the 2014 Super Rugby final where he scored a double, a wise head combined with utility value could see him play an enormous role given the propensity for injuries to occur in the modern game.

With Tevita Kuridrani holding a mortgage on the No.13 jersey, and the in-form Rob Horne, Joe Tomane and Henry Speight to deal with in the back division, ‘Two Dads’ starting role is anything but a guarantee. However, with a complete skillset including strong defence, sound positional play including good line running and a love of taking on the line, to not give him a spot somewhere in the 23 would be a mistake on Michael Cheika’s part.

While being on the far side of 30 would beg the question of whether those game-breaking abilities have begun to fade, he has shown enough during the Super Rugby season to suggest he can still enjoy success at the top level. A real you-know-what-you’re-getting type player, confidence in selection is something that rarely goes unvalued in top flight rugby, and Ashley-Cooper epitomises this perfectly.

78. Pascal Pape (FRA) – Lock
One of the French toilers up front, Pape has been at the top level for over a decade now. Debuting in France’s grand slam season of 2004, the Stade Francais man has been in and out of the side since then but in recent seasons has become one of the first men written on the team sheet. A run of form in the 2011 and 2012 seasons saw him elevated to vice-captain under fellow stalwart Thierry Dusautoir.

Since then, Pape has been a rock for a French side that has flattered to deceive, showcasing good leadership along with being one of very few players to demonstrate consistency. While being physically imposing at 118 kilograms, what really stands out is Pape’s phenomenal experience and strike rate.

With 322 first class caps, an astonishing 44 tries would suggest ball carrying is an enormous part of his game. Having always been part of a strong French scrum, and one of the best lineout technicians in the world, a man of Pape’s calibre will be invaluable in the Rugby World Cup.

77. Ramiro Herrera (ARG) – Tighthead Prop
Perhaps not a name that most rugby fans will recognise, Argentine prop Herrera has experienced a rapid rise in the last year, only making his debut about 12 months ago against Ireland in Resistencia.

Given his lack of experience, one could be forgiven for thinking a ranking of 77 is a little generous. However, the feats Herrera accomplished in turning the Argentine scrum into undoubtedly the world’s best cannot be understated. New Zealand and South Africa are both strong in this department, and it is hard to recall when the two sides were made to look so second rate in one of the most crucial aspects of the game.

Herrera won penalty after penalty for Los Pumas in this area, causing the entire South African front row to be substituted, as well as Wyatt Crockett in very early stages of the games. He was no less rampant against Australia, and was a huge reason behind the success in Mendoza.

However, Herrera’s game extends beyond this facet of the game, with his colossal strength often used around the fringes of rucks, meaning very few forward oriented, pick and drive game plans have any success against a brick wall of Pumas defence. A strong runner and hard worker in the tight, expect Herrera to bring his devastating power to the World Cup later this year, as Argentina will more than likely progress to the quarter-finals.

76. Bernard Foley (AUS) – Fly Half
Since his standout 2014 Super Rugby season, fly half Foley has gone from strength to strength, and is now a well rounded and accomplished player. Fly halves are a curious case, as the abilities that often stand out are not physical, but more subtle and even mental in nature. Consistency, a cool head under pressure, and game vision are the must haves for any No.10, and Foley has these attributes in spades.

Consistently slotting game winning kicks, the ability to get the best out of the players outside him and playing his best in the key moments of games against the top opposition are what characterise the Waratahs man, something not often present in players who have emerged from a sevens background. His speed and passing game are both excellent, and with offensive weapons Kuridrani and Israel Folau out wide, it comes as little surprise to see the Australian backs fire when given a decent platform up front.

A different mould to the more off-the-cuff type play of Quade Cooper, the decision as to who will wear the starting jersey for the Wallabies is entirely dependent on which type of game Cheika wants to play. Either way, Foley’s ice-cool persona must surely be included.

75. Johnathan Joseph (ENG) – Centre
Prior to the 2015 Six Nations, there was plenty of talk over who would wear the coveted English No.13 jersey at the World Cup. Not anymore. After his standout Six Nations campaign, where he was the most dangerous back in the competition based on form, Joseph has gone from a maybe to a crucial component for Stuart Lancaster’s title aspirations.

Dominating all five of his opposites in the tournament, he finished on the top in linebreaks and tries scored. With dazzling footwork and deceptive power, Joseph went from a brilliant Six Nations campaign to the Aviva Premiership finals, where he was superb despite Bath going down to the Saracens in the final.

Matched with his brilliant offensive prowess is an ability to dominate contact and use what size he does have to great effect, often showing great vision to break down opposition attacking raids before the ball is shifted wide, a pre-requisite for the modern centre. On his home patch and behind a strong forward pack it is difficult to see Joseph being anything but brilliant later this year, one to keep an eye on for sure.

74. Stuart Hogg (SCO) – Fullback
JK Rowling herself once referred to Hogg as a “squib”, meaning a wizard without powers. And while she isn’t known for her rugby knowledge so much as her novels, she did in fact speak the truth in recognising the brilliance of the Scottish fullback. A member of the successful 2013 Lions tour, at only 23 Hogg has set the rugby world alight with a series of exceptional offensive displays, this year running for the most metres, beating the most defenders and making the second most carries in a Scottish side that often struggled for momentum.

Although it is the first time he has reached these lofty heights, he is no stranger to stardom, having been the youngest player on the 2013 tour and being the centre-point of the Scottish offence for nearly three years. With sound ability under the high ball, an accurate punt and relatively good defensive play, Hogg is close to being the prototype fullback. If the Scottish pack is able to lay a platform, an ever improving backline with Hogg featuring at the back will surely punish a few teams.

73. Handre Pollard (RSA) – Fly Half
The rugby success story of 2014. In June he led the junior Springboks to a world championship final where they went down to a valiant England side. Barely two months later he scored a vital double as South Africa beat the All Blacks for the first time since 2011, and ended a 20-match unbeaten run dating back to 2012.

There was little doubt Pollard was a talent, but how quickly he adapted to the top level after playing little Super Rugby would have surprised even the most staunch of South African supporters. Along with traditional tactical kicking prowess that is a feature of all Springbok pivots, the most unique and eye-catching feature of Pollard’s play is how close he plays to the line.

Long flat passing creates defensive issues for teams, and he has shown to be unafraid of the contact zone, scoring tries at both levels off a quick turn of pace and agile running. Although rather inexperienced for a World Cup playmaker, if Meyer wishes to play a running-based game plan then Pollard is the best available choice.

72. Liam Messam (NZL) – Flanker
Prior to 2011, Messam was in and out of the All Black side as strong Super Rugby form consistently led to criticism when he failed to meet the rigours of the Test scene. Formerly criticised for playing too loose and lacking physicality, under the Dave Rennie reign at the Chiefs Messam has transformed into the type of player that the All Blacks have wanted since his debut in 2008.

Now able to play a tight game when required, Messam combines physicality with a dynamic running style that suits the open, play-what’s-in front-of-you type game plan New Zealand have pioneered. Earning a gold medal with the All Blacks sevens in the 2008 Commonwealth Games, a sevens background has been of great help in implementing this method of play.

Messam has formed the cornerstone of the Wayne Smith led defence at the Chiefs that was so integral in earning them back-to-back titles in 2012 and 2013. Also presenting himself a lineout option in recent times, Messam’s presence will be invaluable at the World Cup, either from the bench or in the starting jersey, his leadership and on-field skills will be crucial in the pressure ridden environment of the World Cup.

71. Jamie Heaslip (IRE) – Number Eight
Since his debut in 2006, there has been little doubt that Heaslip belonged at the top level. After a few years of strong cameos in the green of Ireland, he announced himself to the world after a phenomenal 2009 season that saw him star in the 2009 Lions Tour, win a grand slam with Ireland and be nominated for the IRB player of the year.

Heaslip carried this form the next two years into the 2011 World Cup, where Ireland, despite being eliminated in the quarter-finals, played some brilliant rugby in topping their pool and knocking over the Wallabies two weeks earlier. However, under Joe Schmidt the Irish side, and Heaslip in particular, have flourished. He is now expected to use his considerable bulk not only to create momentum for the talented Irish backline, but to place himself on the fringes when the ball goes wide.

With deceptive speed and soft hands for a loose forward, this style has allowed Heaslip to display the more subtle elements of his game that have benefitted Ireland immensely. Already possessing powerful skills in the tight, a dominant ruck cleaner as well as a forceful defender, the Irish Eighth man is revered in his home country, and for good reason too.

That concludes this week’s edition of the Top 100, which will return the same time next week beginning with another powerful No.8.