Player of Pool B: Juan Figallo

Legendary Scotland and Lions coach Sir Ian McGeechan referred to key players as “Test match animals” - those who grow under pressure, rather than go into their shells when the heat is on.

In a tight Pool B, the claims for player of the pool were less about hat-tricks and more about coolness in the close encounters.

England’s Manu Tuilagi, despite being, at 20 years and 115 days old, the youngest player to represent England in a Rugby World Cup match, became increasingly important to his country’s campaign with his pace and power in the centre.

Chris Ashton set an England World Cup try-scoring record with six, while James Haskell was outstanding at number 8.

For Scotland, second row Richie Gray was noticeable for his prodigious workrate as much as his shock of blond hair. Chris Paterson, by featuring in 11 consecutive RWC matches for Scotland, set another team record.

Georgia and Romania, despite their underdog status, had several players who caught the eye.

Georgian back row Mamuka Gorgodze offered wholehearted commitment and no little skill, scoring the only try of the game against Romania, and fly-half Merab Kvirikashvili offered goalkicking accuracy more fancied teams would envy.

For Romania, hooker Marius Tincu reached his 50th cap during the tournament and led his men by example.

Argentina number 8 Juan Martín Fernandez Lobbe was the heartbeat of his team against England and sorely missed after sustaining a tournament-ending injury against Scotland.

But the player of the pool was Juan Figallo. The prop came into the World Cup with only four caps but has become the mainstay of a side whose game plan is so dependent on the set piece. A Puma who is truly a Test match animal.