The Top 100 reaches the halfway point this week, counting down numbers 60-51, after concluding last week with Argentine flyhalf Nicolas Sanchez.

60 – Robbie Henshaw (IRE) – Centre
When the great Brian O’Driscoll finally hung up his boots at the end of 2014, a nation not only mourned, but probably became a little anxious at how the team would cope without the talismanic centre.

If you were to pick a player in world rugby at the time whose replacement would have the toughest task replicating his influence on the field, it would arguably be O’Driscoll. Not only was he still the premier centre in Ireland based on his play, but the leadership factor and his calming influence on the team were hugely important.

Enter Henshaw. Since being passed the jersey in 2014 after his debut a year earlier, Henshaw has yet to play a bad game.

Pitched into the firing line against Jean De Villiers, he was inspirational in Ireland’s win against South Africa, and equally so in their victory a week later against Australia. This year, the next big test was against the rising English side, where he scored the game’s only try and showcased some O’Driscoll-esque defensive play.

At 22 years of age, the youngster seems to thrive off high-pressure situations, and there is not better source of that than a world cup knockout match. Although Joe Schmidt opted to play Jared Payne in the 13 jersey in this year’s Six Nations, at inside centre Henshaw has been no less influential.

Having already established himself as player who not only copes with, but thrives under pressure, expect him to shine later in the year.

59 – Richie Gray (SCO) – Lock
When Scotland had one of their best Autumn international series ever last year, there was little surprise that it came off a monster forward effort up front.

Backs often receive an unjustly large amount of praise for scoring tries, but it is the platform set up by the tight five that allows them such room to move.

This typified the Scottish forward pack last Autumn against Argentina, who put one of the world’s best packs to the sword, and at the centre of it all was Richie Gray.

Busts up the middle, runs out wide, powerful clear outs, lineout steals, metronomic tackling, he did it all that day, and backed it up again the next week against none other than the All Blacks.

Having been selected but only playing a minor role in the 2013 Lions tour, Gray returned in 2014 with a point to prove, and has cemented his reputation as one of the hardest players in Europe.

There is nothing more valuable than a tight forward who thrives against the best. Gray has proven that despite being in a side that can appear lacklustre at times, he can more than handle himself against the very top sides. If Scotland do cause an upset in the coming world cup, it is sure to come off the back of a powerful effort by the monster lock, who seems to get better year after year.

58 – Israel Dagg (NZL) – Fullback
This entry may appear controversial, given the Hawkes Bay-born fullback’s lack of form in recent years, but at his best there are not many backs, let alone fullbacks, who are more brilliant than Israel Dagg.

In 2010 and 2011, Dagg was the world’s premier fullback. Through a combination of pace, agility, aerial skills and an enormous kicking game, he became one of the hardest players to defend against in world rugby.

He has the ability to break tackles with consummate ease, with his magical try in 2010 against the Springboks in Wellington a standout example. But perhaps the most striking feature of Dagg’s game, and the one that in 2012 had some questioning if he was better than the legendary Christian Cullen, was his big-game temperament.

Not only did he play his best in the most important of games, but was able to time his moments that made him a menace at the most important of times. His running against the Wallabies in the Rugby World Cup semi-final in 2011 was marvelous all game, as well as his defusal of high balls and raking kicks.

The emergence of Dagg was expected to see him own the 15 jersey for years to come, however the same level of confidence has not exhibited itself within his play in recent years.

This year has seen him hampered by injuries, but performances against the Bulls and Sharks where he was able to string a few games together were vintage Dagg, and if the fullback is able to get back to his best, the All Blacks will get an enormous boost in their quest for a second consecutive world cup.

57 – Sean O’Brien (IRE) – Flanker
Another to have emerged during the 2011 Cup, the 28-year-old O’Brien has been one of the form break aways in the world during the last four years. Ireland seem to have a habit of brilliant young players seamlessly taking over from legends, with the injury to David Wallace and the immediate rise of O’Brien the focal point of Ireland’s Rugby World Cup campaign.

A powerful offensive player, and like all good opensides fast around the field on defence, along with David Pocock, the Leinster-raised product must be considered the premier over-the-ball specialist in the modern game. O’Brien possesses the ability to time his moments to perfection, striking and snuffing out opposition attack with alarming accuracy.

Another feature that has become apparent in recent years is his ability to rebound from injury and almost instantaneously step back into top form, something that is incredibly difficult in a position that demands a player be one of the most mobile and influential on the field.

O’Brien has already established his high pedigree, but in a rejuvenated Irish side now ranked third in the world, the team will only have one goal in mind, and the workaholic backrower could have a major part to play in helping them achieve rugby’s greatest honour.

56 – Dan Biggar (WAL) – Flyhalf
In recent seasons, the Welsh number 10 jersey has adopted something of a revolving door policy. Having failed to recapture the form that saw him be hailed as Wales’ next big thing, Rhys Priestland does not appear the answer, and ageing stars James Hook and Gavin Henson look to be past their best.

But in 2014, the performances of Biggar suggested the conundrum had been solved, and in 2015 he decisively put to bed the question – as well as a few other teams.

Wales, under his direction, showcased the form indicative of a side that look to be well capable of becoming the world’s best. Having been around the Welsh setup since his debut in 2008, Biggar has achieved something of a coming-of-age in recent seasons, finally meeting the lofty expectations that would reasonably be bestowed upon a player who reached 100 club caps at only 21 years of age.

Against the All Blacks last year he was superb, guiding the team around the park brilliantly, playing the game in the right parts of the field, and nullifying the New Zealand counter attack with his accurate boot.

It is strange to refer to Biggar as a ‘veteran campaigner’ at only 25, but with seven years experience he has become a much more mature player than what he was several years ago, which is welcome news for a side that has flattered to deceive in seasons since the last world cup. Another one to keep an eye on.

55 – Joe Marler (ENG) – Loosehead
When Alex Corbisiero went down injured in 2014, both England players and fans would have been casting a worried eye at the packs now relishing the chance to take them on up front without their brilliant Lions prop.

Surprise would no doubt have ensured when the tight five actually improved with the addition of Harlequins’ Joe Marler, who has played so well in recent seasons that he now much be considered one of the premier front rowers in the game.

The Steinlager series in 2014 and the following Aviva Premiership showcased Marler at his storming best, a force both in the tight and set piece, as well as destructive ball carrying that is more typical of a loose forward.

When describing Marler’s game, the word “dynamism” springs to mind, as he is not content to only win contact, but dominate it entirely. Rucks, mauls, ball carrying are all features where the presence of Marler is immediately evident, possessing impressive strength that is often able to leave a mark on opposition.

With Mako Vunipola and the now healthy Corbisiero to compete with, England is not short on depth in the front row, but Marler presents the obvious starting choice given the explosive impact he could make if told he is only required for fifty minutes. He has however, shown the ability to damage opponents for eighty minutes, and it is this adaptability in circumstance that gets him the nod at number 55 on this list.

54 – Matt Giteau (AUS) – Fly Half/Centre
With the return of the veteran Aussie for the rugby championship and most likely the World Cup, talk has ensued over how the Toulon man is going to fare in his return to rugby’s greatest stage.

Having been dropped from Robbie Deans’ squad heading into 2011, Giteau has admitted that at the time he became bitter, but retrospectively he was not deserving of a spot among Australia’s elite.

It is this change in mentality that indicates the 92-cap utility back has turned a corner in his rugby career. Success in rugby is often defined by how a player is able to cope mentally with both expectation and pressure, and this was ultimately a major reason in Giteau’s international career appearing to be over in 2011. That’s despite demonstrating in nearly a decade prior that the he possessed the skill to take the world by storm.

While the moniker “kid dynamite” clearly no longer fits the 32 year old, his performances in France for the champion Toulon sides would indicate he has lost none of the intelligence and ability that made him such a hit in the first place.

He possesses marvellous instincts on both sides of the ball and demonstrates the leadership skills that typify a pivot of his calibre. Despite his past, the signs are there that Giteau can make a return to glory this autumn, and his return has the potential to be one of the great comebacks stories in rugby history.

53 – Tommy Bowe (IRE) – Wing
One of the most intelligent wingers in the game, Bowe’s incredibly refined skillset stands tall along with the man himself, who has now been at the top level for 11 years.

As any Australian fan will know, he can read a play with the skills of a flyhalf, and it is this uncanny defensive attribute that defines the man’s play, being able to tackle strongly or pick off a pass for an intercept seemingly at will.

In 2013 he left the Lions tour along with George North as one of the best two wingers in the Northern Hemisphere, and under Joe Schmidt’s Irish side he has maintained this brilliant form for close to three years.

Strong under the high ball and a powerful ball carrier, the six foot three winger has proven time and time again that given space he is deadly, able to bump of players, fend, step or chip kick, which outside an Irish centre combination that is starting to come into its own, has the potential to win matches.

Like many others on this list, he saves his best for the big occasion, and given the tough draw that may await Ireland through the knockout stages, he may well make an impact throughout the tournament both through his leadership and gameplay.

52 – Charlie Faumuina (NZL) – Tighthead Prop
A strange case for the Blues prop, as despite being one of the premier players in the world, he will probably find himself riding the pine in this world cup.

Despite possessing a remarkable skilset for a front rower including soft hands and a brilliant offloading game, his impact value off the bench may prove too good to turn down for Steve Hansen, with the more core skill based game of Owen Franks the other alternative.

However, despite this probable outcome, Faumuina’s impressive game cannot be overlooked, and he appears one of the only complete props in the modern game.

In the 2015 Super Rugby season, Faumuina was exceptional up until his season-ending injury, showcasing the full array of skills that originally caught the attention of the national selectors.

Sound core skills, subtle offensive elements, powerful defence and even an over the ball ability were put on display, following on from his good 2014 Autumn form which several times saw him shift the momentum of games from the bench. At only 28, Faumuina has not quite hit the age where props deliver their best, and will likely only continue to grow as a player over the next few seasons. Looks to be in for a big 2015 if he can stay healthy.

51 – Alun Wyn-Jones (WAL) – Lock
Achieving notoriety when he was surprisingly tossed the reigns for the final Test on the 2013 Lions tour, Wyn-Jones has gone from strength to strength over the past few seasons. He has taken on a leadership role with the Welsh after the remarkable turn of events two years ago.

The Ospreys man is the classic toiling lock, who is at home in the tight where he is able to get through a huge amount of work over the entire eighty minutes.

As well as his brilliant core skills, set piece dominance is characteristic of the 120kg lock, who provides an enormous influence in the scrum, and is one of the world’s best lineout technicians.

After a shaky start against England, Wales went on to record four straight victories, including an epic victory over eventual champions Ireland where they made a phenomenal 230 tackles.

In that game, both he and Luke Charteris in the second row made over 50 collective tackles, emphasising the renowned workrate that has allowed him to achieve nine years at the top level.

Having guided the Lions to victory in 2013 in his first captaincy of the tour, Wyn-Jones appears to be a natural leader, something that will hold him in good stead in an environment that demands the influence of more than one calming presence within the side.

His presence will be one of the key factors in the Welsh campaign, and they may surprise many in an extremely tough pool.

That concludes the fifth edition of the Top 100, which will return again next week for the beginning of the top 50, kicking off with an up and coming hooker who has made a name for himself in recent seasons.