We pick our magnificent seven among the 'big men' in action this weekend at the Rugby World Cup Sevens in Dubai.
Isoa Damu, England (Number 1)
Great England Sevens teams have always possessed fine forwards. Tim Rodber, Lawrence Dallaglio and Chris Sheasby provided the grunt in the World Cup-winning 1993 vintage and the current triumvirate of Chris Cracknell, Rob Vickerman and Isoa Damu compliment each other perfectly. Stocky centre Vickerman is quick and bustling, Cracknell provides the ball-winning graft and Damu the X-Factor.
The Fijian-born British Army private has been outstanding this season, most memorably out-sprinting Lote Raikabula to score the winning try in the NZI Sevens final in Wellington. Rated by his coach Ben Ryan as 'if not the best then one of the top three Sevens players in the world', his cover tackling verges on the heroic and his consistent form has earned him a professional contract with London Wasps. Has scored 11 tries in the current IRB Sevens World Series.
Victor Vito, New Zealand (Number 7)
Humble enough to swat away comparisons with Jonah Lomu, but good enough to have prompted them in the first place. Vito first played in Dubai as captain of New Zealand's side that reached the IRB Under 19 World Championship final in 2006 and the number 8 has since signed for Wellington's Super 14 outfit the Hurricanes and become one of the most recognisable rugby faces in New Zealand.
He burst onto the Sevens scene last season with jaw-dropping performances on the wing after coach Gordon Tietjens spotted the potential - hence the comparisons with Lomu - and now returns as the only Super 14 player in the squad. With cruel injuries ruling out Edwin Cocker, Solomon King and Tim Mikkelson, Vito could well revert to the forward pack in Dubai but expect the same eye-catching form. When he runs carrying the ball effortlessly in one hand, he makes it look the size of a duck egg.
Frankie Horne, South Africa (Number 3)
Rated by coach Paul Treu as one of the most important players in the South African squad, the man he would least want to do without. Horne's ball-winning and ball-carrying exploits alongside captain Mpho Mbiyozo is a major factor in South Africa's rise to joint top in the world.
While the likes of Robert Ebersohn, Renfred Dazel and Gio Aplon will make the headlines for scoring all the tries, it's the forward grunt and notably hooker Horne that gives the quick boys the ball to play with. Currently one of Treu's full-time Sevens players based in Stellenbosch and has taken on the mantle of everpresent forward from Schalk van der Merwe.
Humphrey Kayange, Kenya (Number 1)
Literally the first name on the teamsheet. Tall, rangy and quick, Kayange is the captain and leader of the Kenyan effort. Coach Benjamin Ayimba has brought in a more structured defensive game plan for the Africans, which Kayange marshalls on the pitch.
In the absence of the injured Dennis Mwanja he gets through massive amounts of work, is strong at restarts and has a habit of popping up with important tries when opposition are tired and his long legs allow him to gracefully cruise to the line. Charismatic and eloquent away from the pitch.
Julien Malzieu, France (Number 11)
A current first-choice pick in Marc Lievremont's France test side and in RBS Six Nations action last week, Malzieu is arguably the highest profile of all the players on show in Dubai.
Having first cut his teeth in international Sevens for France two seasons ago under Thierry Janeczek, he was soon snapped up by Clermont Auvergne and then the national team. At six foot four inches he possesses the height and weight of a forward and is useful at re-starts but his pace also makes him very dangerous in his customary position of wing.
Todd Clever, USA (Number 1)
The first American to play Super 14, Clever has been an important part of the match day 22 for the Lions in South Africa this season and returns now to bolster the USA Sevens side.
Clever has played for the USA at every level, including at two Rugby World Cups and is now captain of his country, co-captaining Al Caravelli's side with outstanding back Chris Wyles. He is easy to spot by his all-action style and the generous mane of locks tied back in a pony tail for matches.
Ofisa Treviranus, Samoa (Number 1)
In a team of colossal forward power, captain Ofisa Treviranus is arguably the toughest of the lot. Returned to Sevens this season after a spell playing for Connacht in Ireland and packs down alongside the outstanding Alafoti Fa'osiliva and Simaika Mikaele.
Treviranus' work rate is second to none and he also has a canny knack of scoring tries, as his 13 in the World Series testify - the leading mark for a forward. He is yet to captain Samoa beyond the Cup quarter finals in the World Series but with former skipper Uale Mai back to offer guidance and nous look to Samoa to rattle the top sides in Dubai. A team and a forward effort everyone likes to avoid.
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