A Look Forward to the 2015 Rugby World Cup

The key dates for the 2015 Rugby World Cup have been named with the tournament set to start about two weeks later than the 2011 tournament on September 24 and will end on November 1, 2015. The later dates were agreed upon to avoid any interruptions to the Super Rugby season and the new 4 nation Rugby Championship which will start later this year - an indication that the power brokers of world rugby currently lie south of the Equator. 

So who do you think will be in the All Blacks squad come late September 2015? And who do you think could be the stars of the next Rugby World Cup? I know it's hard to pick at this time but it's always a bit of fun trying to look into the crystal ball of world rugby. 

My All Blacks squad of 30 for the next Rugby World Cup if there are no injuries-

Will we see a repeat of McCaw lifting Bill in 2015?

Props - Jamie Mackintosh, Ben Tameifuna, Ben Franks, Owen Franks

Hookers - Hika Elliot, Dane Coles, Motu Matu'u

Locks - Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Luke Romano, Jarrad Hoeata

Loose forwards - Richie McCaw (captain), Sam Cane, Luke Whitelock, Kieran Read, Victor Vito

Halfbacks - Aaron Smith, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, TJ Perenara

First fives - Aaron Cruden, Beauden Barrett, Dan Carter

Centres - Richard Kahui, Robbie Fruean, Charlie Ngatai

Outside backs - Andre Taylor, Israel Dagg, Julian Savea, Frank Halai, Zac Guildford

And here are my 5 new stars to watch at the 2015 Rugby World Cup (2015 will be their first World Cup). 

George Ford, England

With England hosting the Rugby World Cup, they will be looking at a hero to kick the winning goals and put away England's potentially quick wingers over for tries. George Ford has long received plaudits at age-group level and will be 22 in 2015, meaning he will probably begin to blossom around that time- ideal if England are to win their 2nd Rugby World Cup ever.

Frank Halai, New Zealand

Big Frank has been the man of the 2012 IRB Sevens World Series and should be playing Super Rugby next season. Opposition teams better watch out as Halai is a big, fast and powerful runner almost in the Jonah Lomu mould. He could be top try-scorer at the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

Tom Kingston, Australia

Kingston is a rugby player of the old mould - he is still pursuing a Commerce degree while playing for the Waratahs in the 2012 Super Rugby season. But Kingston obviously looks like he's balancing the books rather well, having been impressive at wing. Come 2015, Kingston could move to centre - a problem position for the Wallabies at the last Rugby World Cup. 

Johan Goosen, South Africa

Goosen has only started playing Super Rugby this year but has already looked like a seasoned pro. Come 2015, he should supersede the established duo of Peter Grant and Morne Steyn - he's not only got Morne's  accurate kicking boot but also Peter Grant's resillience as well as the ability to set defences alight.

Beauden Barrett, New Zealand

We have already seen what Barrett can do with the Hurricanes and his massive talent has now been fast-tracked into the All Blacks training squad in 2012. Come 2015, could Barrett be the first choice first five ahead of Cruden and Carter? It's quite possible now, meaning Carter might have to move to second-five which may not be a bad thing given that New Zealand's centre prospects are a bit questionable should Conrad Smith and Ma'a Nonu be too old come 2015.