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Richie McCaw

Date of birth: 31/12/1980

Position: Flank

Test caps: 55

Test Debut: Ireland, 2001

Test Points: 50

Current Club: Crusaders

Strengths: Easily the best player in the world when it comes to stealing opposition ball at the breakdown, McCaw's ability to read the game ensures that he is constantly in the right place at the right time. With a work-rate second to none, the skipper puts in more tackles than any other player but is also an incredibly effective ball carrier with a tremendous ability to off-load in the tackle.

Weaknesses: In his haste to enforce a turnover he does concede the odd penalty, but then that does go with the territory...

Likely headline(s): Caw-Blimey, Richie! McCaw all the Rich-er for World Cup Victory

Did you know? His grandfather, Jim, flew for the RAF over England during the Second World War and is credited, among other things, with taking out 20 V1 rockets towards the end of hostilities. McCaw himself is a qualified glider pilot.