Player to watch: Craig Hartley (Full back, 54 caps)

Supporting cast: Jon Hinkin (Wing, 36 caps) George Sucher (Prop, 11 caps)

2003: Runners-up

Not a serious amount. Still an emerging nation, the US team survived last year on fitness and enthusiasm and are expected to do so again this year. Lacking the truly world class players and experience of nearly all their competitors, they are a genuinely unpredictable side.