A ferocious hit can not only stop an opposition attack, it can also knock the ball free and turn over possession.

The hard hitters are not necessarily the biggest players on the pitch, but they are among the most explosive.

And they use their speed, power and timing to devastating effect.

Jonny Wilkinson: (England)

He is the hardest tackling fly-half of all-time and has redefined the defensive role of the number 10.

How they rate

Power: 8 Strength: 7 Volume: 8 Tenacity: 8 Aggression: 9 TOTAL: 40/50

Pound-for-pound he hits harder than anyone in the game and foolhardy runners trying to attack down the fly-half's channel soon learn the error of their ways.

England legend Jeremy Guscott says when he was first tackled by Wilko he could not believe that only one man had hit him.

But tackling is only one part of his armoury and Wilkinson is probably the finest all-round player in the world at the moment.

Serge Betsen (France)

The French blindside flanker is the ultimate predatory tackler, in the opposition's face from the first minute to the 80th.

How they rate

Power: 8 Strength: 8 Volume: 9 Tenacity: 9 Aggression: 8 TOTAL: 42/50

The Cameroon-born player gave Wilkinson a taste of his own medicine when France beat England in the Six Nations last year.

Despite his camouflage scrum cap the England fly-half knew he was coming.

But Wilkinson could do little to avoid him as the French marauder produced one of the more unforgiving defensive displays of all time.

Richard Hill (England)

The Saracens player is another of the back-row monsters with a reputation for taking no prisoners when he takes down an opponent.

How they rate

Power: 8 Strength: 9 Volume: 8 Tenacity: 9 Aggression: 8 TOTAL: 42/50

Hill's all-round skills mean he can play in all three back row positions.

But wherever he lines up the opposition know that he will be hunting them down remorselessly.

Standing 6ft 2in and weighing more than 16 stone, Hill has plenty of power - and he is not afraid to use it.

He is one of the most consistent players in world rugby, and although he may not get the headlines, he is definitely the unsung hero of the England team.

Kevin Maggs (Ireland)

The Ireland centre may not be the biggest person on the pitch.

How they rate

Power: 7 Strength: 7 Volume: 8 Tenacity: 8 Aggression: 7 TOTAL: 37/50

But what he lacks in sheer size, he more than makes up for with his offensive tackling.

Anyone running at the Ireland back line knows that the Bath player is lurking.

And his defensive partnership with the dazzling Brian O'Driscoll means that not many sides go through the Ireland midfield.

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Introduction

Speed Machines

Airborne Division

Bulldozers

Ring Masters

Scavengers

Hard Hitters

Jonny Wilkinson facts

Country: England Position: Fly-half Date of Birth: 25 May 1979 Place of Birth: Frimley International Debut: 4 April 1998 against Ireland Height: 1.77 m Weight: 196 lbs

Serge Betsen facts

Country: France Position: Flanker Date of Birth: 25 March 1974 Place of Birth: Kumba International Debut: 22 March 1997 against Canada Height: 1.82 m Weight: 202 lbs

Richard Hill facts

Country: England Position: Flanker Date of Birth: 23 May 1973 Place of Birth: Dormansland, Surrey International Debut: 1 Feb 1997 against Scotland Height: 1.87 m Weight: 224 lbs

Kevin Maggs facts

Country: Ireland Position: Centre Date of Birth: 3 June 1974 Place of Birth: Bristol International Debut: 15 Nov1997 against New Zealand Height: 1.82 m Weight: 203 lbs