Since the inauguration of the Rugby World Cup in 1987, the planet's greatest players have graced the biggest stage of them all to produce many memorable moments.

As the days until this year's showpiece tournament gets underway continue to tick down, Sports Mole picks out five players - in no particular order - who have made more of an impact than any other.

1. John Eales (Australia)

Helped guide his side to two World Cup titles, playing a big part in 1999 when leading the Aussies all the way in Cardiff. That saw him become one of a select few to have achieved that feat, and ultimately made him the most successful skipper in his nation's illustrious history.

His reserved demeanour played a huge part in his - and his side's - success during a 10-year international career, which eventually came to an end two years after that second triumph on the world stage. Eales retired as the most-capped lock of all time, a record that his since been surpassed, but his place in this tournament's great history is there to stay.

2. Richie McCaw (New Zealand)

Widely considered the greatest player of the modern era, McCaw is preparing to embark on his fourth taste of World Cup action this autumn. A vital cog to the New Zealand side, his bravery is likely to play a key part in the Kiwis' hopes of retaining the title they lifted four years ago on home soil.

It is thought that the 34-year-old will call time on his international career upon the conclusion of the latest instalment of the competition, which will be a huge loss to the sport, but should he match Eales in skippering the side to a second success then he will stake his claim as the finest of all time.

3. Jonny Wilkinson (England)

A hugely popular figure, both during his playing days and after, Wilkinson's historic drop-goal in the dying embers against Australia was enough alone to write his name in World Cup folklore. He ensured that the famous crown would leave the Southern Hemisphere for the only time, and came close to retaining it four years later only for defeat in the final to the Springboks.

Better players have featured in the competition, but not many come close to matching his moment of magic in 2003. Wilkinson also holds claim to scoring more points than any other player at the finals, showing his longevity in the sport at the highest level.

4. Jonah Lomu (New Zealand)

It may perhaps seem a little strange that a player who never actually got his hands on the trophy features in this list, but the ease with which he took teams apart was something to truly behold. Aged just 20, Lomu ran in four tries in a stellar display against England in 1995 to instantly leave his mark.

While hardly the most-rounded of players, his 16 World Cup tries go some way to showing just what a talent he was. Not content with his performance in 1995, he pushed on and bagged a further eight tries in 1999 - the most by a player in one competition - to once more rack up another milestone achievement which earns his place in the list of the elite event's greats.

5. Francois Pienaar (South Africa)

A huge part in bringing unity to post-apartheid South Africa, Pienaar carved his name in rugby folklore not because of any one individual display but more so because of his exploits in 1995. He provided without doubt the most iconic moment in World Cup history when lifting the Webb Ellis trophy high above his head in Johannesburg - one of those moments which will long live in the memory.

Joel Stransky played a huge part for the host nation that year, most notably slotting home the drop-goal which secured victory in the final at Ellis Park, yet it is Pienaar who led from the front and was duly rewarded when presented with the trophy by president Nelson Mandela.