Pool A Opposition... USA : South Africa : Samoa : Tonga
The lowdown on... Australia
Australia are the only side to have lifted the Rugby World Cup twice and are generating enough momentum to make many think they can do so for a third time in Paris.
From the wreckage of a disastrous run of results in 2005 has emerged a formidable side with a blend of experience and energy that has seen them cruise through the RWC 2007 pool stage.
Wins over Japan (91-3), Wales (32-20), Fiji (55-12) and Canada (37-6) saw them stroll into the quarter-finals as Pool B winners.
The question marks are still there over their front five - which buckled alarmingly against England two years ago - but the talent of Mat Giteau, Chris Latham, Stirling Mortlock and Lote Tuqiri means their back line will be as accomplished as ever.
Then there's the small matter of George Gregan - 134 caps and counting at scrum-half - with confident youngster Berrick Barnes standing in for Stephen Larkham at fly-half.
And the even smaller matter of a certain game in Sydney on November 22, 2003 for anyone interested in revenge…
Squad
Backs: Chris Latham (Queensland Reds), Julian Huxley (ACT Brumbies), Adam Ashley-Cooper (ACT Brumbies), Lote Tuqiri (NSW Waratahs), Mark Gerrard (ACT Brumbies), Drew Mitchell (Western Force), Stirling Mortlock (ACT Brumbies, capt), Matt Giteau (Western Force), Scott Staniforth (Western Force), Stephen Larkham (ACT Brumbies), Berrick Barnes (Queensland Reds), George Gregan (ACT Brumbies, vice-capt) Sam Cordingley (Queensland Reds)
Forwards: David Lyons (NSW Waratahs), Wycliff Palu (NSW Waratahs), Stephen Hoiles (ACT Brumbies), Hugh McMeniman (Queensland Reds), Phil Waugh (NSW Waratahs, vice-capt), George Smith (ACT Brumbies), Rocky Elsom (NSW Waratahs), Nathan Sharpe (Western Force), Dan Vickerman (NSW Waratahs), Mark Chisholm (ACT Brumbies), Al Baxter (NSW Waratahs), Matt Dunning (NSW Waratahs), Greg Holmes (Queensland Reds), Guy Shepherdson (ACT Brumbies), Stephen Moore (Queensland Reds), Sean Hardman (Queensland Reds), Adam Freier (NSW Waratahs)
*Centre Morgan Turinui (NSW Waratahs) was due to replace the injured David Lyons on October 4.
Coach: John Connolly - Knuckles to everyone in the game, Connolly had coached Stade Francais and Bath before taking over from Eddie Jones and tightening up the Australian game significantly
Danger Man: Mat Rogers - the highest-paid player in Australia after joining Western Force is gifted enough to appear anywhere in the Wallaby backline and only turned 25 at the end of last month. Could bring out the best in Stirling Mortlock and rookie fly-half Berrick Barnes.
IRB World Ranking: Second
