Who's hot….and who's not!

We take a look at who's been setting the world alight… and who has been left in the shade.

We take a look at who's been setting the rugby world alight… and who has been left behind in the shade.

Can't touch this…

France: Best horse race commentator voice please…And on the far side it's France finishing strongly, easing past Ireland twice with New Zealand in sight… France have definitely hit form at the right time and suddenly are looking like the northern hemisphere's best hope of lifting the Webb Ellis trophy on October 23. They have the power up front, set-piece solidity, back-row and half-backs to do a job, but surprisingly their tournament betting odds remain at a tasty 20/1.

Morné Steyn: The Bok pivot rose to the challenge on Saturday and showed the value of having a world class kicker in the team. The under-fire Blue Bulls points machine provided all of South Africa's eighteen points against the All Blacks. He also added a drop-goal to keep the pressure on the New Zealanders. His tactical kicking was good and his decision-making and distribution impressed too. Steyn has definitely reclaimed his spot at 10.

Israel Dagg: What a performance that was from the Crusaders full-back. We lost count of the amount of times Dagg broke the line in Port Elizabeth in a showing that made coach Graham Henry's decision all the more easier. Now the big question is where New Zealand will play him during the World Cup. Surely he has to start the bigger games so maybe a spot on the wing is the answer…or, dare I say it, he takes the jersey of veteran Mils Muliaina.

Heinrich Brüssow: A picture told a thousand words at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. Brüssow's face was a wreck after being a real thorn in the side of the All Blacks for 80 minutes – give or take the time he spent in the blood-bin. One steal immediately comes to mind from that game when his flexibility and power defied the laws of physics. It is going to be pretty difficult now for coach Peter de Villiers not to pick him ahead of Schalk Burger.

Sam Warburton Hats off to the kid Warburton who, at just 22, will lead out Wales in the upcoming World Cup. The Cardiff Blues flanker's potential was clear to see during the Junior World Championship of 2008 and he has not disappointed, moving up through the ranks in the Welsh capital at quite a rate. Let's not get ahead of ourselves but he looks like a starter for the 2013 Lions. Back-row of Sean O'Brien, Sam Warburton, Jamie Heaslip?

Kim Tashara: Our votes have been cast here at Planet Rugby HQ and from a shortlist of ten, James Hook's other half Kim Tashara gets our nod as top WAG. The Miss Great Britain finalist has recently had a baby with the Welsh star back Hook and is quite a looker.

Can I have more ice with that?

James O'Connor: Who has been a naughty boy then? O'Connor is in a bit of hot water at the moment after missing Australia's team announcement function due to what was reportedly a few too many cold ones the night before. That move, unfortunately for him, has resurfaced an incident in November when he was also one of three players alleged to have been involved in a brawl with team-mates in Paris. This really isn't what the Wallabies needed.

Tomas O'Leary: We have been inundated with reader comments recently about O'Leary not being up to international standard. Well you all have your wish as on Monday, Declan Kidney chose to leave out the scrum-half from his World Cup squad of 30, instead going for Isaac Boss, Conor Murray and now first-choice Eoin Reddan. O'Leary is apparently in a 'whole world of hurt' while head coach Kidney said he was 'very unfortunate to lose out'.

Johann Meuwesen: Ah yes, the old argument of whether the Television Match Official should or should not have more of a say in decisions referred to him by the referee. This is what happened in the Tri-Nations clash between South Africa and New Zealand. Here's the minutes … Meuwesen: “Would you like more information beside the try?” George Clancy: “Yes please”. Meuwesen: “Well, it's a forward pass”. Hmm, what are your views?

Johnnie Beattie: The term 'Killer Bs' won't be used in New Zealand after Andy Robinson opted against putting in Beattie to his 30-man squad. Kelly Brown and Richie Vernon are poised to be the number eight options in the southern hemisphere. Glasgow Warriors number eight Beattie, among the most impressive performers in the 2010 Six Nations before a shoulder issue curtailed his progress, is definitely the most surprising omission.

Ireland: It is becoming increasingly likely that we may see another Georgia fixture of 2007 when Ireland take to the field in New Zealand, against the likes of Italy, USA and Russia. Should the Irish lose against England in Dublin this coming weekend, they will head into the World Cup without a warm-up win to their name – barring their 'A' team's success over Connacht of course. And to think, Jonah Lomu had dubbed them Webb Ellis dark horses.

Tom Rees: Is there an unluckier player in the game right now? Rees, who missed the majority of last season with a shoulder problem, has now been handed the mother of all injuries in the shape of a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament that he picked up in a pre-season clash with French side Agen. Rees is the ultimate professional and we expect him to return as good as ever after what will be a tough period of rehab. Best of luck Tom.

Feel free to use the space below to tell us who YOU think is smokin' and who is jokin'.

Compiled by Adam Kyriacou