The dust is settling on the 2011 Rugby World Cup and the All Blacks have paraded the Webb Ellis trophy around New Zealand on the back on a flatbed truck. Before attentions turn to next year's Six Nations, and even further to 2015, Sports Mole looks back at some of the stand-out players of the tournament.

15: Israel Dagg (New Zealand)
It was a bold decision by Graham Henry to bench veteran All Blacks fullback Mils Muilaina in favour of Israel Dagg, but his gamble paid off. Dagg really came into his own this tournament and provided New Zealand with some flare coming from deep. Brilliant takes, beautiful runs and quick thinking with ball in hand more than made up for his less-than-impressive boot.
Not forgetting: Kurtley Beale (Australia)

14: George North (Wales)
George North epitomised the strength in Wales's youth. At just 19, and built like a tank, North provided power, pace and opportunities down the line. It's scary to think about how young North is, but after this tournament he is destined to be a future star of Welsh rugby and a shoe-in for the British and Irish Lions.
Not forgetting: Vincent Clerc (France)

13: Ma'a Nonu (New Zealand)
Okay, we know that Ma'a Nonu played most of the tournament at 12, but he did start New Zealand's campaign at 13. His form may have been questioned going into the Cup, but Nonu proved once again that he is a huge threat in midfield. His runs had defenders bouncing off him and he remains one of the All Blacks' most deadly assets.
Not forgetting: Brian O'Driscoll (Ireland)

12: Jamie Roberts (Wales)
When playing alongside a fly-half who knows how to set him up, there is no stopping Jamie Roberts. The medical student from Newport toppled defenders like bowling pins and consistently broke the gain-line to give some oomph to Welsh efforts going forward.
Not forgetting: Berrick Barnes (Australia)

11: James O'Connor (Australia)
A true utility back, James O'Connor can play on the wing, as a centre or at fullback. Where he really came to the fore for Australia, though, was at the spot kick. He made the long-range match-winner to scrape past South Africa in the quarters and slotted two vital penalty goals to seal Australia's bronze medal win over Wales.
Not forgetting: Shane Williams (Wales)

10: Rhys Priestland (Wales)
Dan Carter would have got away with it, if it wasn't for his pesky torn adductor longus tendon. The award, however, goes to Wales youngster Rhys Priestland. The fly-half provided Wales with an ingenuity missed with veteran stand-off Stephen Jones, and he proved to be the catalyst needed to get Jamie Roberts back into his Lions form of 2009.
Not forgetting: Dan Carter (New Zealand)

9: Piri Weepu (New Zealand)
Weepu really stepped up to the challenge faced by New Zealand in the wake of Dan Carter's injury. He put in tremendous penalty kicking displays in the quarters and semis and came to be known by the Kiwi public as 'Mr Fix It'. He may have fluffed most of his penalty attempts in the final, but his tactical kicking from hand in open play was inspired.
Not forgetting: Will Genia (Australia)

8: Imanol Harinordoquy (France)
Despite not really turning up in the pool stage, Imanol Harinordoquy flourished for France in the knock-out stage and seemed to single-handedly destroy England at the contact area in the quarter-finals. He maintained his form in the final and, along with Thierry Dusautoir, nearly won the battle of the breakdown against the mighty New Zealand.
Not forgetting: Toby Faletau (Wales)

7: Richie McCaw (New Zealand)
What is there left to say about Richie McCaw? Probably the best open-side flanker in the world, McCaw's wizardry at the breakdown was vital to the All Blacks' success. An inspirational leader, he played through a foot injury for most of the tournament to bring the Webb Ellis cup back to New Zealand for the first time in 24 years.
Not forgetting: David Pocock (Australia)

6: Thierry Dusautoir (France)
IRB Player of the Year Thierry Dusautoir came out of nowhere in the knock-out stages to batter opposition at the contact area. His individual performance against New Zealand in the final was one of the highlights of the tournament.
Not forgetting: Jerome Kaino (New Zealand)

5: James Horwill (Australia)
Wallabies captain James Horwill played a huge, if unsung, part in Australia's journey to third place. Determined and aggressive, Horwill led one of the most impressive defensive displays of the tournament.
Not forgetting: Victor Matfield (South Africa)

4: Brad Thorn (New Zealand)
Veteran lock Brad Thorn showed fans why he is considered the best second-row in the world. A colossus in defence and essential in the line-out, Thorn thoroughly deserved this fairy tale ending to his international career.
Not forgetting: Luke Charteris (Wales)

3: Adam Jones (Wales)
Adam Jones's injury early in Wales's semi-final defeat to France was as much of a blow to the team as Sam Warburton's red card. A pillar of the Welsh scrum, Jones was sorely missed both at the set piece and at the ruck.
Not forgetting: Nicolas Mas (France)

2:Rory Best (Ireland)
Having battled with injury to be included in the Ireland team, Rory Best led a solid Irish scrum and was immense during the team's pool stage victory over Australia.
Not forgetting: Bismarck du Plessis (South Africa)

1: Gurthro Steenkamp (South Africa)
Toulouse-bound Steenkamp was a massive presence for South Africa both in the scrum and in defence. His performance showed just why he won the 2010 South African Player of the Year award.
Not forgetting: Tony Woodcock (New Zealand)

Coach: Marc Lievremont (France)
Ignoring everything else, Lievremont gets the award for being the most entertaining character of the tournament. His stand-out moment was this quote regarding his own players: "I told them they are a bunch of spoiled brats. Undisciplined, disobedient, sometimes selfish. Always complaining, always moaning. It has been like this for four years. I also told them I have a lot of affection for them."