Rugby World Cup Countdown: Three players have played at FIVE Rugby World Cups

The tough-tackler became the first player to appear in five World Cups, his fifth being the 2007 World Cup in France, in which he came on against South Africa in Samoa's first game after 60 minutes.

One of Lima's most illuminating moments came in Samoa's match against South Africa in a group match at the 2003 Rugby World Cup. As Springbok fly-halfDerick Hougaardleapt up in the air to catch a hospital pass, Lima "dive-tackled" him, sending Hougaard crashing to the ground.

DID YOU KNOW: He earned the nickname of "The Chiropractor" for his shuddering hits both on and off the pitch that supposedly rearranged the bones of the victim.

The then 36-year-old became just the second player to feature in five separate World Cup campaigns in 2015. The flanker, who has won 106 caps for the Azzurri over a 17 year period, retired from professional rugby after Italy's final game of the tournament.

He predominantly played as an open-side flanker, although his versatility means that he had also played a number of international games on the wing, and started at scrum-half in an infamously error-prone performance. He was considered to be one of Italy's best players in his preferred position.

: He featured on the cover of the Italian version of the game .

Parisse will captain Italy at his record-equalling fifth Rugby World Cup in Japan

The talismanic number eight made his tournament debut as a replacement against New Zealand in Melbourne in 2003 and will come up against the All Blacks again in Toyota City 16 years later – almost to the day.

DID YOU KNOW: Parisse was born in La Plata, capital of Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina, to Italian parents.