Skysports.com takes a look back at events in the world of rugby union during the last 12 months.
Boks rule the world, while Leicester and Wasps dominate domestically
As the curtain falls on another year,
Skysports.com takes a look back at highlights in the world of rugby union - from peace being declared in war between the clubs and country to South Africa's World Cup glory.
World Cup
With more twist and turns than a former Scottish international attempting to dance, the Webb Ellis Trophy finally ended up in the hands of South Africa.
Right from the off, there was an indication of what to expect as the hosts France came unstuck to the might of Argentina - with the Pumas going on to repeat the feat in the bronze medal match.
Tournament should be remembered for the rise of the minnows - with Georgia, Namibia, Japan, Tonga and Fiji all proving that the International Rugby Board's investment in the lesser nations was at last paying off.
Fiji went on to upset the odds by reaching the quarter-finals at the expense of Wales, who joined Ireland in failing to make it out of the group stages.
Although Scotland reached the last eight, they were brushed aside by the Pumas - and it was left to England to fly the flag, somewhat unexpectedly, for the home nations.
It seemed England were destined for an early flight home alongside the Welsh and Irish after a series of stuttering displays and a 36-0 thrashing to South Africa in the pool.
However, they managed to pull it together at just the right time - with a little help from the return of Jonny Wilkinson and a reported players' revolt - to beat Australia and France.
With pre-tournament favourites New Zealand suffering their traditional choke, the final saw England take on the Boks.
A war of attrition saw England push Jake White's side all the way - with only mere millimetres denying Mark Cueto a decisive try.
As it was the Boks held on to record a deserved 15-6 victory, to give White the perfect send-off as coach.
Six Nations
One of the closet Six Nations saw four countries enter the final round of fixtures with a chance of lifting the championship.
However France's 46-19 victory over Scotland saw them take the title on points difference from Ireland, despite their 51-24 victory over Italy.
The stars of the tournament, though, were Italy - with Pierre Berbizier's side recording a first-ever away win in the Six Nations, beating Scotland 37-17 at Murrayfield, while a 23-20 success over Wales meant that they also avoided the wooden spoon.
For England it was a Jekyll and Hyde tournament, with moments of brilliance too often spoilt but spells of mediocrity - and little sign of what was to come at the World Cup.
Tri-Nations
New Zealand have never quite mastered the tactic of timing their form to perfection for the World Cup - and so it was to prove again.
Having dominated in the Tri-Nations, the All Blacks rightly earned the tag of World Cup favourites - however they should follow South Africa's example in future competition if they are to fulfil their potential.
Derided by Australia and New Zealand for their selection policy, White and his team looked at the bigger picture and used the Tri-Nations to get their entire squad into the best possible shape.
And while New Zealand may have the Tri-Nations and Bledisloe Cup - courtesy of their 41-32 aggregate victory over the Wallabies - sitting pretty in their trophy cabinet, it is the Boks who claimed the main prize.
Heineken Cup
The Guinness Premiership dominated proceedings in European rugby's premier competition - with Wasps, Leicester and Northampton reaching the semi-finals.
Llanelli joined them in the last four - however it was Wasps and the Tigers who went on to reach the showpiece final.
And although Leicester were on course for the treble, it was Wasps who lifted the title as they tactically and technically outclassed the Tigers 25-9 in front of a world record crowd of 81,076.
Eoin Reddan and Raphael Ibanez scored the decisive tries to see the Londoners to a second Euro crown.
Special mention must got to Northampton, who belied their poor league form to reach the last four.
Having lost twice to Biarritz in the pool stages, they only just scraped into the quarter-finals as one of the two best runners-up.
That saw them handed an away trip to Biarritz - and a superb defensive display and Robbie Kydd's try earning them a 7-6 victory.
The tournament, though, was dogged by a dispute between the French and English over the voting rights - leading to clubs from both countries announcing boycotts of the 2007-08 campaign.
However, 11th-hour negotiations saw a new deal thrashed out and the future of the competition secured.
European Challenge
Having dominated the premier competition, English clubs were also in fine form in the Challenge Cup - with Bath and Saracens reaching the last four.
However there was no chance of another all-Premiership final as the duo were paired together in the semis - with Bath pipping their rivals 31-30.
That saw the West Country side face-off against Clermont in the final - and it was the French outfit that took the spoils 22-16.
Guinness Premiership
Leicester Tigers dominated the Premiership campaign as they dismantled Gloucester 44-16 as they attempted to clinch the treble.
Pat Howard's side scored tries through Alesana Tuilagi (2), Andy Goode, Frank Murphy, Lewis Moody and Shane Jennings to lift the play-off title.
Gloucester look to have learned from their mistakes at the end of the 2006-07 season, with Dean Ryan's men already making the running this time around - helped by a number of key signings.
Leicester, though, have not quite hit the same heights - with former Argentina coach Marcelo Loffreda handed the job of emulating Howard.
At the bottom of the table, Northampton suffered the disappointment of relegation - finishing just one point adrift of Worcester.
They managed to beat London Irish 27-22 in their final game of the season, but the Warriors shocked Saracens 22-7 to stay up.
Worcester, though, find themselves in a similar position this time around - with Mike Ruddock's side bottom, despite some encouraging form in the European Challenge Cup.
Leeds, after a one-year absence, returned to the Premiership - but face a fight with Worcester to avoid dropping back down again.
The year ended with Premier Rugby - the ruling body of the Premiership clubs - and the RFU finally burying the hatchet and coming to an agreement over the future of the game, both domestically and for the national team.
EDF Energy Cup
Leicester survived a spirited Osprey comeback before lifting the Anglo-Welsh title 41-35.
The Tigers led 28-9 at the break, however tries from Lee Byrne, Shane Williams (2) and Nikki Walker set up a thrilling finale.
Leicester, though, kept their nerve as tries from Tom Varndell (2), Tom Croft, Ben Kay and Alesana Tuilagi saw them home.
Super 14
The Bulls were crowned the Super 14s champions after late drama in their all-South African showdown with the Sharks.
Bryan Habana crossed for a try in the dying minutes, while Derick Hougaard held his nerve to slot over the crucial conversion.
The Sharks, the table-toppers in the regular season, had looked set for victory after tries from JP Pietersen and Albert van den Berg.
Magners League
The Ospreys claimed the Celtic honours as they finished a point clear of Cardiff in the table.
The Ospreys beat the Border Reivers in their final match to make sure of the title - with the match the last in Scottish club's history.
Bids to save the Borders at the end of the season failed, however the Scottish RFU did manage to reclaim control of Edinburgh after a lengthy battle with owner Bob Carruthers.
