"Powerhouse forward" - One England player included in Opta's 2023 Rugby Dream Team

Thomas Gallo (Argentina).

The South African unit that clinched the title in 2023 displayed a winning mentality beyond compare. They triumphed in all their World Cup knockout games by a margin of just a single point, showcasing an indomitable spirit that refused to be beaten, regardless of the challenges they faced.

Throughout the tournament, a total of 48 games unfolded, each contributing to the creation of enduring memories in rugby folklore. The competition witnessed incredible displays of attacking brilliance, coupled with defensive bravery and unwavering resolve.

The Opta Index, a unique measurement system objectively scoring each player's performance throughout the campaign, allows us to construct the best XV of the tournament. Let's delve into each selection, supported by pertinent statistics, while also acknowledging players who, despite their stellar performances, narrowly missed out in key positions.

All three Barrett brothers ranked among the top 30 players overall for the tournament, with Beauden leading the pack. In the final, he etched his name in history by becoming the first player ever to score in two men's Rugby World Cup finals. Additionally, he topped the charts for meters gained in the tournament, a feat he also achieved in 2019.

Close: Davit Niniashvili (Georgia), Thomas Ramos (France).

Although defeat in the quarterfinal denied Penaud a chance at legendary status, he emerged as a standout performer. Penaud made more breaks than any other player in the tournament, crossed for six tries, and provided five assists, leaving an indelible mark on the competition.

Close: Mark Telea (NZ), Raffaele Storti (Portugal), James Lowe (Ireland).

Despite quarterfinal heartbreak, Ringrose showcased his creative brilliance. His six try assists were the most by an Ireland player in a men's Rugby World Cup, and he ranked second only to teammate Bundee Aki in the number of breaks made.

Aki emerged as one of the standout players of the tournament, scoring five tries and making the most carries of any back. His dominant carry rate of 50%+ and contributions in breaks and defenders beaten solidified his impact on the field.

Jordan equaled the record for most tries in a men's Rugby World Cup edition, crossing the line eight times. His dynamic play also saw him make the second-most breaks and the most dominant tackles by an All Black.

Mo'unga's versatility in the 10 jersey set him apart as a creative ball carrier, distributor, and tactical kicker. He led in break passes, gained the most meters, and beat more defenders than any other fly-half in the tournament.

Close: Matthieu Jalibert (France).

Despite injury concerns, Dupont showcased his prowess on the field. Limited to just 200 minutes of action, he still topped the charts for offloads and created the most breaks of any scrum-half.

Close: Aaron Smith (NZ), Alex Mitchell (England).

Savea emerged as a relentless force, ranking in the top 10 in both attack and defense categories of the Opta Index. His contributions included beating defenders, carrying the ball, and direct involvement in more tries than any other forward.

Close: Caelan Doris (Ireland), Ben Earl (England).

Martins emerged as the breakthrough player of the tournament, boasting a gainline success rate second only to forwards with 20+ carries. His performances, including line-out steals and high tackle rates, underpinned Portugal's impressive campaign.

Close: Jac Morgan (Wales), Charles Ollivon (France).

In his swansong, Lawes played a pivotal role in leading England to a third-place finish. His hard carries, strong tackles, and proficiency at the breakdown and line-out showcased his versatility.

Close: Michael Leitch (Japan), Shannon Frizell (New Zealand).

Beirne proved to be a key weapon for Ireland, contributing across the pitch with tries, tackles, and turnovers. His reliability in the line-out further solidified his impact on Ireland's campaign.

Close: Maro Itoje (England), Theo McFarland (Samoa), Franco Mostert (South Africa).

Retallick showcased his barnstorming best at the World Cup, boasting the best ruck effectiveness rate among players with 100+ rucks. His dominance in opposition line-outs and all-around contributions were instrumental in New Zealand's campaign.

Close: Maro Itoje (England), Theo McFarland (Samoa), Franco Mostert (South Africa).

Tameifuna, Tonga's captain, led from the front with an impressive scrum success rate, robust ball-carrying, and contributions in meters gained and defenders beaten.

Close: Codie Taylor (NZ), Julian Montoya (Argentina).

Mauvaka emerged as a shining light for France, excelling in the hooker position with a high gainline success rate, significant meters gained, and numerous breaks.

Close: Codie Taylor (NZ), Julian Montoya (Argentina).

Crucial to South Africa's success, Kitshoff stood out as the only Springbok in this XV. His contributions in attacking and defensive rucks were among the best in the tournament, emphasizing his pivotal role in the championship-winning side.

Can you identify how many of the top 20 most-capped England rugby players you can name?

We've supplied the total number of caps and their respective playing positions for each player. Your task is simply to complete their surnames.

You have a 5-minute window to attempt to guess all 20 players.