Henson the bolter in our 2004 XV

Nine nations represented in our team of the year

Welsh centre Gavin Henson, in ahead of Australian whizz-kid Matt Giteau, is the real bolter in our World XV for 2004. We have named an interesting mix, in which no country dominates.

World Cup holders England have three players in our team, with Tri-Nations champions South Africa two - including the International Rugby Board (IRB's) Player of the Year, Schalk Burger.

Other countries with two players each are New Zealand, Ireland and Australia - while the rest is made up by one each from Wales, Argentina, France and Italy.

Here goes!

15: MILS MULIAINA (New Zealand)
Another superb year's work from the elegant All Black fullback, whose consistency and speed put him at the top of the pile. Perhaps the least heralded member of the star-spangled New Zealand attack force, but if there was a better all-round fullback in operation in 2004 we didn't see him.

14: JASON ROBINSON (England)
'Tis no wonder the Twickenham crowd goes wild when 'Billy Whizz' gets his mitts on the ball in broken play -  there's surely no finer exponent of counter-attacking running rugby alive today. He wins extra Brownie points for his shrewd guidance of his country during the November Test matches, and six tries in his eight England appearances of 2004 will do his Lions bid no harm at all.

13: BRIAN O'DRISCOLL (Ireland)
Another year of consistent top-drawer performances from Ireland's indestructible centre, who has the ability to make his opponents look like rank amateurs when he puts his mind to it. Big things are expected of Ireland's Triple Crown-wining star in 2005, and he's well worth a flutter for the Lions' captaincy.

12: GAVIN HENSON (Wales)
Yes, Matt Giteau is a pretty handy player - but we've plumed for the young Welsh centre. Henson is probably the most controversial choice in this team, as he has not yet fully established himself on the international scene, but his performances in the November Tests only serve to outline his astonishing potential. If he continues on his current trajectory, 2005 is his for the taking.

11: LOTE TUQIRI (Australia)
The big Wallaby wing ran amok amongst all-comers in 2004, committing several defenders to each of his devastating runs, and proved himself to be a highly effective finisher. The 'Dark Shark' squeezes into the XV ahead of New Zealand's Joe Rokocoko - and that takes some doing!

10: DAN CARTER (New Zealand)
New Zealand coach Graham Henry has finally found a fly-half capable of weathering the pressure and making the risky but effective flat-attack tactic work. Not only did he breathe life into a floundering All Black backline during the European tour, his goal-kicking has been outstanding.

9: AGUSTÍN PICHOT (Argentina)
The Puma skipper once again carried his country through its Tests with superb distribution, precise kicking, and superb sniping. Pichot has not only made his presence felt on the field, but has been a terrific ambassador for Argentine rugby as it strives to gain full recognition. A huge credit to the game.

8: MARTIN CORRY (England)
Just when you thought it might be safe to snipe around the back of the England scrum, Leicester's immense No.8 assumes the Dallaglio mantle and has tailored it to his own rampaging style. An inspiration to his pack with his bullocking runs, Corry has become the new England forward figurehead.

7: GEORGE SMITH (Australia)
Yet another year spent foraging, pillaging and stealing possession, frustrating all who come against him. Strong, fast, industrious, dexterous, obscenely athletic and outrageously street-wise - has there ever been a better exponent of openside play?

6: SCHALK BURGER (South Africa)
The IRB Player of the Year's ceaseless running and endeavour was key to South Africa's Tri-Nations triumph. Oft-maligned for his yellow card collection, but he was always there to be on the wrong side of the off-side line, where many other flankers would have been too late. Surely one of the all-time greats in the making.

5: PAUL O'CONNELL (Ireland)
Ireland's pack under-performed during the Rugby World Cup, but they held their own - and then some - during the  campaign of 2004. Gritty Munsterman O'Connell made a massive contribution to Ireland's Triple Crown, not only at the set-piece but in open play where he was only to happy to eek out the metres in the tight.

4: FABIEN PELOUS (France)
A Grand Slam is not a bad way to start your tenure as new national captain, even if the year ended with reversals against Argentina and New Zealand. Whilst other nations plum for the dictatorial mutterings of foamy-mouthed combatants, France found inspiration from a man who speaks softly but carries a mighty big wallop. Pelous is also an outstanding line-out forward, and - like all his forwards - outrageously comfortable on the ball in the loose.

3: JULIAN WHITE (England)
Any scrum in the world would be happy to be anchored by the Leicester hardman - he has been absolutely immovable in the tight during the past 12 months. There's no frills with this man - he does what is asked of him, and does it well. The departure of likes of Martin Johnson and Lawrence Dallaglio left the England pack a few gargoyles shy of a proper horror show, but White has taken on the role of team enforcer-cum-bully with gusto.

2: FABIO ONGARO (Italy)
The bulking Italian has stood head-and-shoulders above his hooking contemporaries. Many will say that there are others who deserve this place, but Ongaro plays for a team that is consistently under pressure, and still delivers world-class performances. How good could he be in a world-class team?

1: OS DU RANDT (South Africa)
What a year for the old Ox! Age can not wither the hulking South African who has risen from what looked to be the ashes of his Test career to reassume his position at the top of the propping pile. Besides his impeccable scrummaging, Du Randt puts in the tackles, strings together the passes, and finds the overlaps. He is the rock on which the new-look Bok side is being built.