The Top 100 moves into the final 50 this week, marking the second half of the countdown as well as five weeks until the beginning of the world cup.

Concluding last week with Welsh stalwart Alun Wyn-Jones, the list kicks of this week with one of the most dynamic front rowers in the game.

50 – Dane Coles (NZL) – Hooker
Hurricanes rake Coles, having begun his international career in 2012 against Scotland, has grown immensely in the last two years.

A somewhat unorthodox breed for a hooker, the 28 year old is the epitome of how the modern game has evolved over the past decade. Gone are the days where excelling at the core skills and little else would have you selected on the basis of reliability.

The speed of the game played by the All Blacks and now the Springboks demands that a hooker possess characteristics typical of a loose forward to create a more dynamic offensive and defensive threat.

Such characteristics are what define Coles, possessing exceptional speed and acceleration, as well as the ability to offload and steal ball, which when combined with his now solid basics in the tight means he is a threat to the opposition in all facets of the game.

In 2014, when the New Zealand pack were not at their dynamic best in the draw with the Wallabies in Sydney, hooker Coles stood tall as one of the best in game, which marked the birth of the current player at home among the world’s best.

Discipline and hotheadedness does remain a problem, but the more experience and wisdom he gains over time would mean this brash side will fade. Regardless, as the undisputed first choice rake for Steve Hansen’s side, Coles will feature heavily at the world cup as the All Blacks hope to go back to back.

49 – Matt Toomua (AUS) – Centre
One of the rising stars of the game, 25-year-old Toomua has gone from and up and comer to an established star in the past two seasons.

In 2013, after an outstanding season for the Brumbies where their finals run included a victory over the Bulls in Pretoria, and a last-gasp loss to the champion Chiefs in Hamilton, Toomua was lauded as one of the best emerging talents in the country. This was especially so after guiding the Brumbies to a win against the British and Irish Lions later in the year.

However, his real emergence was to come a year after, against Ireland in Dublin. Despite the Wallabies losing the game, Toomua’s performance was majestic, completely changing the dynamic of the Australian backline, leaving some Irish pundits to label him as the best 12 in the world.

While this writer wouldn’t go that far, there is no doubt the young centre has what it takes to become one of the greats, combining punishing defence, a calm on-field presence, strong carrying and a brilliant passing and kicking game.

With a full array of skills, Toomua also possesses lovely vision from his time at flyhalf, and does not hesitate in making split second decisions when under pressure, which has the potential to ignite the incredibly dangerous back trio outside him.

Michael Cheika has shown significant faith in Toomua before, and is likely to do so again in the world cup, and based upon his past few international performances, his faith is rightly invested.

48 – Samu Manoa (USA) – Number Eight
Since moving to Northamption in 2011, Manoa has established his reputation as one of the toughest players in the world. Immensely physical, the 30 year old USA Eagle has dominated opponents for nearly half a decade in the English and European Premierships, with his devastating combination of power and finesse causing headaches for all sides he plays.

As the years have gone on Manoa has only become better, with his running metres, tackles and overall impact increasing season after season, culminating last year in him being named as the Premiership player of the year after the conclusion of the Saints’ successful campaign.

However, his rank inside the top 50 does not come as aresult of his ability, but rather his consistency of performance, and subtle in game intelligence not usually associated with players of his style.

On both attack and defence, Manoa times his strikes to perfection, and has made a habit of positioning himself in areas that allow him to utilise his strength in the most efficient way. Bound to feature heavily in the Eagles’ 2015 Rugby World Cup campaign, keep an eye on the rampaging number eight, who saves his best for the big occasion.

47 – Sam Cane (NZL) – Flanker
In 2012, Sam Cane emerged from nowhere to be appointed perhaps the most pressure filled job in New Zealand rugby; replacing the irreplaceable Richie McCaw when the legend eventually decides to hang up the boots. Though most players would not meet the enormous expectations that come with such a task, the evidence Sam Cane has put forth in the past three years will have eased the fears of a nation.

The 23 year old now looks at home on the international stage after a string of brilliant performances against top opposition. His starting debut against Ireland in 2012 was exceptional, as he scored two tries and was tireless throughout the entire eight minutes, instantly demonstrating the qualities that have made him such an asset for the All Blacks.

In his 2013 and 2014 seasons, Cane continued one valiantly from his breakout year, showcasing increased physicality, defensive prowess and breakdown skill to firmly anoint himself as McCaw’s successor.

In 2015 Dave Rennie did the All Blacks a huge favour by inducting the young flanker into the Chiefs’ leadership group, to which he was rewarded by Cane having his best ever season for the Hamilton side as they entered the finals for a third straight year despite being unsuccessful.

Although Hansen will undoubtedly utilise McCaw in the starting role for the world cup, the next step for Cane is to bring his remarkable talents to rugby’s biggest stage, and if he is able to repeat his heroics once again, he will likely feature for years to come.

46 – Agustin Creevy (ARG) – Hooker
A man who has been in and out of the national squad for nearly a decade, Creevy finally looks to have established himself on the international stage after a fine period from 2013 to 2015 where he has shot from strength to strength.

Three top 14 French teams, two positional changes and a shaky start as captain were but a few obstacles that Creevy has been forced to overcome, having been somewhat inconsistent for the good part of his rugby career.

However, as the Pumas were admitted into the Rugby Championship in 2012, the hooker has been one of the world’s best, displaying his leadership and on-field skills week in week out for a side that just now looks to be finding their feet among the southern hemisphere giants.

The 30-year-old possesses marvelous core skills, helping to establish the Argentine pack as one of the world’s best, as well as skilful breakdown and loose play no doubt conceived from his time as a flanker in his early career.

In 2014, Creevy was arguably the world’s premier rake, leading Argentina to their first ever championship win, and an epic triumph over the French in Paris, where he was one of the best players on the park in both games.

Evidently capable of leading his team by example, his partnership with fellow stalwart Juan Martin Fernandez-Lobbe has created a leadership duo that all times could do well to emulate. There is no doubt that he will be crucial to Argentina’s chances in the Rugby World Cup, as they look to improve upon a campaign which ended against eventual champions New Zealand.

45 – Mike Brown (ENG) – Fullback
In 2013, after several campaigns for the English where he struggled to find his feet in the international game, Brown delivered one of the all-time Six Nations showings. He was named player of the tournament after a set of displays that were as skilful as they were breathtaking.

Fundamentally, there was no area that Brown appeared weak in. He is a scintillating ball carrier, terrific clutch defender, has a strong passing and kicking game and possesses great vision and good under the high ball.

Earlier in the year, Brown lead his provincial side to a semi-final berth, and was named the player of the Aviva Premiership.

When one measured his impact across both tournaments that year, Brown looked almost unquestionably like the best player in the Northern Hemisphere. Since then however he has struggled to recapture this magical form, which is not to say he has been playing badly.

Even a sub-par Brown remains one of the best players in the world, and if he were to return to his 2013 best in the coming Rugby World Cup, it would boost England tremendously as they seek to win their second crown.

44 – Peter O’Mahony (IRE) – Flanker
Probably not a name that most casual rugby fans will recognise, O’Mahony has long remained unheralded everywhere but his home country over the past few seasons.

Put simply, O’Mahony is the most accomplished back-rower in Ireland and one of the world’s very best.

Playing mostly at blindside flanker, the Munster man plays the type of game that receives few plaudits, throwing himself into rucks and tackles and leaving the flashy stuff for others in the team.

However, just how good he is at what he does must be considered one of Ireland rugby’s greatest assets going into the Rugby World Cup, as there is perhaps no greater work horse in the Northern Hemisphere than O’Mahony.

Against Australia and South Africa last year, O’Mahony along with captain Paul O’Connell were the best forwards on the park, averaging over 20 tackles in both those matches and pilfering ball at will.

He was a pest throughout the entire eighty against both southern hemisphere giants, but perhaps the most astonishing factor that must be considered when rating O’Mahony’s play is that he has performed at his superhuman work level for years on end.

Since Stephen Ferris’ premature retirement after the 2011 World Cup, O’Mahony has made the six jersey his own, and has been one of the most reliable players in the world over the past three years.

With the tough playing conditions of the Rugby World Cup to come, O’Mahony looks set to carry his bustling form into that arena too, as Ireland look set to have their most successful tournament ever.

43 – Chris Robshaw (ENG) – Flanker
Another hard working break away, the English skipper has enjoyed his best ever years under Stuart Lancaster for the Red Rose.

Debuting in 2009 in England’s loss to Argentina in Salta, Robshaw was used sparingly during the 2010 and 2011 seasons before being almost unbelievably being named captain of his country after only one Test cap.

Given his experience, one could forgive him for buckling under the pressure of the most important position in English rugby. However, the Harlequins man almost achieved the instead the most legendary of starts after going undefeated throughout the most of the tournament before falling to a grand slam winning Welsh side at Twickenham.

Since that day, Robshaw has ensured through both his performances and leadership that the English could wish for no finer captain, playing his very best against the top opposition, including England’s now mythical 38-21 win over Steve Hansen’s previously undefeated All Black side.

As a player, Robshaw is one of the best there is, being terrific over the ball, a courageous defender and now developing a powerful running game that has served his sides well. In 2009 and 2011, he was named the Aviva Premiership player of the year, reinforcing his value of being a man who could stand up when his teams needed it most.

Criticism of Robshaw bring a sub-standard Test player is totally unfounded, and regardless of whether England finish with a world championship title to their name or not, expect Robshaw to perform at his absolute best come Autumn.

42 – Stephen Moore (AUS) – Hooker
Despite Australia’s well renowned problems in the tight five, in Stephen Moore they possess both a hooker and a captain who is among the world’s elite.

On pure heart and courageousness, very few would rank above Moore, but when held in consideration with his supreme all around ability, there would be fewer players still.

On offence, Moore is tireless, and has shown an ability to appear all around the park to carry on an Australian attack that once it has some momentum, can rip apart defences in a heartbeat.

Defensively, he is even better, getting through a mountain of work for the entire eighty minutes, making him one of the fittest tight forwards in the world. In 2014, his captaincy debut lasted a mere 50 seconds before it was cut short with a leg injury that put him out for the year. But given Moore’s steely character, there was never any doubt that he would get back to his best.

The tail-end of the Brumbies’ campaign demonstrated the very best of the 32-year-old’s skills, as they crushed the Stormers in Cape Town before eventually falling short against minor premiers the Hurricanes.

A solid lineout technician, and possessing a remarkable turn of pace for a front rower, his unquestionable leadership and desire make him the perfect candidate to the lead the Wallabies this year as they seek to become the first nation to make it three rugby world cup wins.

41 – Dan Cole (ENG) – Tighthead Prop
The third Englishman to appear on this week’s edition, Cole was back to his very best in this year’s Six Nations tournament.

Like most of the Leicester side seemingly, he suffered from a long-term injury which caused him to miss the duration of the provincial season, damaging his prospects and inevitably casting doubt over whether he would it would be in England’s best interests to select him.

However, the way he has responded to these questions has been marvellous, with a string of powerful performances where he dominated every scrum.

Without Cole, the English pack is mighty, but with him it is another force entirely. An enormous body that possesses a dynamic carrying ability complete with brute strength after the initial contact, superb stamina and brilliant skill in the set piece, Cole is one of the most prized assets in world rugby.

Aged only 28, which is around the time most international props hit the prime of their career, time is one his side, so a strong a world cup campaign is a very real possibility.

Given England’s tactics to dominate up front, Cole could well be one of the stars of the tournament, and will surely stamp himself as one of England’s greats. The highest-ranked tighthead prop on the top 100, expect big things from the Leicester great.

That concludes this week’s edition of the Top 100, which will now move into the top 40 beginning next week with one of the most devastating centres in world rugby.