DO YOU take three hookers and three locks? How many nines make the cut? Will you get by with a few versatile back-three stars? As expanded national squads battle through camps ahead of Rugby World Cup 2023 in France, head coaches have some big calls to make.
For those players who aren't nailed-on starters, there is a big opportunity to ensure they are in the final World Cup squad. So we name a few athletes with points to prove in the coming weeks...
George Ford Sale
Sharks & England
Some players are just blessed with vision and Ford - much like that man his career has been so intertwined with, Owen Farrell - simply has it. At his imperious best this season, Ford has put those peepers to good use as he guided Sale Sharks through games.
Sure, his team-mate Rob du Preez metaphorically loosened the jar lid, with Ford missing a fair whack of action. But it was Ford who was there in the crucial closing encounters. The question is, though, will his quality be rewarded in a Test sense by making it to France 2023? Ford hasn't featured in an International since 2022 and back then Marcus Smith was getting a go at fly-half, with Ford on the bench (and captain Farrell injured).
It's a different boss since 2022, though, with Steve Borthwick in charge - a man who worked closely with Ford last season. In fact, the whole England coaching ticket did. It looks promising. What's left is to see how tens are used, and when, in the World Cup auditions.
Grant Williams
Sharks & South Africa
Esta historia es de la edición July 2023 de Rugby World.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición July 2023 de Rugby World.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
ALL EYES ON ROSS
OSS VINTCENT sees a lot of similarities between Exeter and Italy, the two teams for whom he struts his powerful, dynamic stuff. The 22-year-old No 8 recognises the crossover in age profile and mentality but is also well aware of the potential shared pitfalls, having been part of a young Chiefs group's struggles to back up an impressive breakout campaign.
BABY BLEU
Léo Barré is the latest in a line of young French stars hoping to bury the blues of last season's World Cup
Tom Voyce
RW pays tribute to the late England wing who was a key part of Wasps' golden era
"Scotland v Ireland is key to the whole shooting match"
Selection for the Lions four will hinge greatly on the Six Nations, says Stephen Jones. So who are the bolters who can force their way in?
Spanish steps
It's a new era for los Leones and their impressive coach Pablo Bouza - and only qualification for the 2027 World Cup will do
OLD PRIORIAN RFC
Giving grass-roots rugby the love that it deserves....
WHERE ARE THEY NOW? MEL DEANE
I WAS at Wasps as a youngster, then signed for Richmond as a pro when I finished university in 1996. I played in Richmond's 106-12 win over Bedford in 1999 - still the biggest-ever Premiership victory.
MY RUGBY WORLD WITH STUART MCINALLY
The ex-Scotland captain turned commercial pilot on Blair Kinghorn, lucky boxers and a famous try
"YOU'RE A LONG TIME RETIRED"
After a ten-year hiatus, Rugby World editor Joe Robinson strapped the boots back on and returned to the rugby field
DOWNTIME WITH... Helena Rowland "I'd love to learn the fiddle and play country music"
The Loughborough and Red Roses star on violin playing, air fryers and historical fiction
