The 2007 Rugby World Cup kicks off on Friday with a clash between hosts France and Argentina, the fifth-ranked team in the world.
With the tournament's opening ceremony taking place beforehand, it promises to be an occasion to savour at the Stade de France.
But when the action gets under way at 9pm local time (2000 BST), who will be the stars of the show? We highlight two players set to take centre stage.
YANNICK JAUZION - THE BEST CENTRE IN THE WORLD?
"He really is the key to the French three-quarter line"
The president of the SC Graulhet club in the Cocagne region of south-west France where Jauzion learned his rugby feared the talented teenager's natural reserve and lack of a fiery temper would prevent him reaching the top.
But after making the grade with Colomiers and then moving to near-neighbours Toulouse five years ago, Jauzion's composure in the maelstrom of a modern-day midfield has become one of France's most treasured assets.
A graduate in agricultural engineering who has several local cuvees named after him in the wine producing business he helps run, the 29-year-old has matured into a world-class vintage on the field, with 44 Test caps (15 tries) to his name.
The player he most admired growing up, legendary centre Philippe Sella, believes Jauzion is the spark that will ignite France's backline at this World Cup.
"He has a lot of qualities," Sella told BBC Sport. "His robust physique makes him irresistible in contact situations, but despite his physique, he plays in between others.
"He doesn't go looking for opponents, he tries to find space so he can stay out of reach and keep the ball alive for a team-mate if he is tackled.
"He really is the key to the French three-quarter line. A France team without Yannick Jauzion is not the same team behind the scrum.
"Even if the collective is the most important, there are some players who bring confidence to a team, and cause problems for the opposition. Jauzion has that ability, that anticipation to always place himself where he can be most effective.
"He is like Brian O'Driscoll for Ireland - he takes a lot of the opposition's attention, and even when he has an ordinary game, he still causes them difficulties.
"I will wait until the end of the tournament to say who is the best centre in the world, but Jauzion is already up there among the best."
JUAN MARTIN HERNANDEZ - THE MARADONA OF RUGBY?
"He is, in his own way, our version of Daniel Carter"
The "Maradona" label was given to Argentina's star player by French sports paper L'Equipe on the eve of this World Cup. He has also been called "Sexyman" and "le poete du rugby" by other publications this week.
Hernandez, 25, was born with excessively bendy legs and couldn't walk normally until he was four years old, but his family has a rich sporting heritage.
His uncle, Patricio Hernandez, was an international footballer who played alongside the great Diego Maradona in the 1980s. His sister, Maria de la Paz, won Olympic hockey medals with Argentina at the 2000 and 2004 Games.
Hernandez arrived in France in 2003, and helped Stade Francais win the French title in 2004 and again this year, primarily as a devastating counter-attacking full-back.
Pumas coach Marcelo Loffreda calls him "El Mago" - "the magician" - and says: "He is capable of doing things with his body that only someone blessed with supreme creative gifts can do. He is, in his own way, our version of Daniel Carter."
Quite a compliment, and for the opening match of the World Cup, Loffreda has handed Hernandez the role he has coveted for both club and country - fly-half.
"Hernandez is one of the best players in the world and I am interested what difference he will make to the Pumas playing at number 10," says Philippe Sella.
606: DEBATE
"Argentina are very strong up front, very efficient and in the past they have played a very narrow game, but that could change with Hernandez at fly-half. He brings an element of uncertainty which the French will have to watch until the end.
"I think they will play the classic Argentine way in the first half, concentrating more on organisation with Hernandez and (scrum-half) Agustin Pichot trying to keep things moving quickly and tiring the French forwards out.
"But the Pumas are very opportunistic and if the chance is there, Hernandez can create disorder in the French defence in the second half with his running ability."
~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~24~RS~)