Scrum of the Earth /

Stick that down your southern hemisphere trumpets. Despite dominating the IRB rankings, forcing the IRBs hand to radically change the game, the southern hemisphere has only one nomination in the IRB Player of the Year awards.

Dan Carter's a pretty strong candidate mind you, and stands out as the early favourite, although Welsh wing-wizard, Shane Williams could trump him on the outside after a record-breaking 2008.

Three captains, Ryan Jones (Wales), Mike Blair (Scotland) and the outstanding Italian Sergio Parisse make up the list, ahead of the awards ceremony in London on November 23.