The anatomy of a perfect rugby player

We embarked on just that very exercise - with the caveat that we wanted to use players who are at the World Cup and only one player from each country.

So is this the ultimate rugby player?

HEAD – Sam Warbuton (Wales). Was the youngest captain of the Lions at age 24. Canny operator at the breakdown and can sweet-talk referees. A leader with excellent tactical nous.

VISION – Johnny Sexton (Ireland). Playmaker supreme. Pulls the strings, knows when to pass, when to kick. The key to Lions and Ireland success in recent years.

CHEST – Uini Atonio (France). The 24st 6lbs prop had to get a special jersey made for him before his Test debut against Fiji. Best not to argue.

ARMS – Eben Etzebeth (South Africa). His club had to order some 75kg dumbbells for him as the second row found the 65kg version “unsatisfactory”. Being 6ft 10 they are also quite long - we’re talking almost a 747-style wingspan for tackles.

HEART – Sam Burgess (England). This centre played the entire NRL Grand Final in Australia after breaking a cheekbone in the first few minutes. He still won man of the match. Would literally try and run through a brick wall for his country.

HANDS – Juan Martin Hernandez (Argentina). Comfortable at full-back, catching a bombardment of high balls, or at fly-half where he can slip players into space with backhand passes or spin the ball wide. No wonder he is known as El Mago (“the magician”).

HIPS – Quade Cooper (Australia). Proud owner of one of the best sidesteps in the world, as anyone who saw him bamboozle New Zealand’s Cory Jane in 2010 can testify. Those hips do lie.

LEGS – Nemani Nadolo (Fiji). His country’s most dangerous player. In the Lomu mould he is 6ft 5in, 19st 5lb and runs at an alarming pace. Try wrapping your arms around those tree trunks.

FEET – Dan Carter (New Zealand). From the floor, out of the hands, whatever you want in a kick, this Kiwi can deliver. He is the leading scorer in the history of the game, with 1,500 points. And most of those have come from his boot.