Australia
Israel Folau
Probably one of the most popular players amongst the Australian contingent. Having played Rugby League, Rugby Union and Australian Rules Football it's fair to say this chap has talent. A player with great strength, pace and an eye for the try line, Israel is probably a good candidate to be Grogged, although the Groggshop does not have a strong track record when it comes to producing Aussie Groggs in fact prior to the recent David Pocock Grogg the last Aussie Grogg was produced over 20 years ago, that being one David Campese.
James O'Connor
James is an extremely outside bet to be Grogged, firstly as he may not feature in the World Cup at all having recently signed for French side Toulon, however a return to Australia in time for the World Cup may turn that all around. He certainly is in good stead to be Grogged having visited the shop (along with David Pocock) and having his photos taken for a potential Grogg.
England
Manu Tuilagi
The last English Grogg produced by the shop was Richard Hill circa 2006. However, a World Cup hosted by England surely warrants a new edition to the Groggy line up? The front runner with collectors would probably be Manu Tuilagi. Much like Sonny Bill Williams of New Zealand Manu Tuilagi is a name that often pops up when collectors are asked about who they would like to see Grogged. Whether or not the Groggshop would share this desire to see him immortalised in clay remains to be seen, a strong World Cup could prove decisive.
Chris Robshaw
The current England Captain is a good shout for a potential Grogg, particularly if England were to win the World Cup on their own soil. Touted as the potential captain of the 2013 Lions Tour, Robshaw was disappointed not to have even been selected for the tour. Robshaw certainly has something to prove, but is no doubt a great leader on the field and if victorious would surely be in strong contention for a Grogg.
Billy Vunipola
With strong connections to Wales, the cousin of Talupe Faletau has burst onto the International and Domestic scene with a bang, showing great power through the middle of the field and the occasional eye for the try line. If Billy can shake off injuries he could make the shortlist to be Grogged.
Mako Vunipola
The other Vunipola brother Mako has also started his International and Domestic career brightly, however a fairly poor Lions tour in 2013 and a whole host of injuries have hampered the development of this powerful prop. This hasn't halted his fan base however and would still make a great Grogg, he just needs to stay fit and build his confidence.
Alex Corbisiero
Alex is an extremely strong candidate to be Grogged and is probably the most likely out of the above list. Richard Hughes recently hinted that the full Lions Test line up would be completed and was only missing two pieces to the puzzle. Corbs was key in the Lions Test victories, particularly in the third test and has previously expressed his desire to be Grogged. Currently playing Rugby in Northampton alongside Welsh speedster George North, his eyes have no doubt been opened further to the wonders of The Groggshop.
France
Mathieu Bastareaud
The French National team have certainly had a tough time over the last couple of years, as a result I feel it is highly unlikely that we will see any players from France Grogged for the World Cup. However, if there was going to be a stand out candidate it would have to be Mathieu Bastareaud, his strength, stature and ability make him a strong option for a Grogg in the future.
Steffon Armitage
Ok, Ok Armitage is technically English and of course has turned out for the national side. However, as he is currently plying his trade in France with Toulon, he is deemed ineligible to be selected for the England National side, a rule which has irked many English fans, particularly as he is in the form of his life having been named ERC European Player of the Year 2013/14. Even more concerning is the fact he may actually be eligible for France, should he be selected for France he is a potential candidate to be Grogged, what better way for the Welsh to get one up on England than immortalising one of their own in the kit of a rival Nation.
Ireland
Jamie Heaslip
Jamie is a good shout for a future Ireland Grogg, firstly having featured in the recent Lions tour of Australia and secondly and probably more importantly having expressed an interest in being Grogged himself. He is unlikely to be the next Irish Grogg however.
Johnny Sexton
The World of Groggs have already announced that Johnny will be Grogged in the future and is probably the top choice for the next Irish Grogg, it just remains to be seen whether that will be in time for the 2015 World Cup.
Simon Zebo
Zebo has shown flashes of brilliance, but unfortunately has had a bit of a tough time with injuries recently. If Simon can stay fit and have a strong World Cup he could catapult himself up the shortlist and join a whole host of Irish legends who have been captured in the Green and White.
Italy
Martin Castrogiovanni
Martin is another player who is regularly is requested by Grogg Collectors, the long hair, beard and of course technical skills have all led to him being a popular player who would look at home in Grogg form. I always say there are not enough Groggs with beards! A Grogg of Martin was actually started a while back by Richard (in miniature form) but shortly afterwards abandoned. Despite having retired from International Rugby Castrogiovanni would be a popular choice for any potential Italian Grogg.
Tommaso Allan
Allan is billed as the next big thing in Italian Rugby, much to the disappointment of Scotland, who he could have played for. It is unlikely any Italian Groggs will come out of this World Cup but Allan is certainly one to watch and if he lives up to his billed potential could line up alongside Sergio Parisse on the shelves of the Groggshop.
New Zealand
Kieran Read
Read is in the form of his life, he was named IRB Player of the Year in 2013 and will certainly be looking to build on this accolade with a strong World Cup in 2015. A strong candidate for the next All Blacks Grogg (After Sonny Bill).
Julian Savea
Savea is another All Black in great form, despite only having 26 Caps to his name he has already scored an impressive 26 tries, 3 tries against England recently certainly made him popular with the Welsh fans and if he continues this fine form into the World Cup he could be a surprise contender to be Grogged.
Scotland
Stuart Hogg
It's been a long time since the last Scotland Grogg, but let's face it there hasn't been a great deal to celebrate in Scottish rugby. However, if there was a strong candidate for a Scottish Grogg it would have to be Stuart Hogg, the popular fly half adds a new dimension to this Scottish side and will be looking to rack up a few points for the Scots in the upcoming World Cup. Having featured on the 2013 Lions Tour should hold him in good stead as well.
Richie Gray
Richie also featured on the 2013 Lions Tour, although he wasn't a regular starter. Richie has featured at all International levels for Scotland and recently moved to Castres in France, a move which he hopes will propel his career further. Definitely an outside bet, particularly as his brother Jonny is being tipped for big things in Scottish Rugby!
South Africa
Bakkies Botha
Toulon and South Africa Lock Bakkies Botha has been a regular feature in the Springbok side. Having just won the Heineken Cup and French League with Toulon, on top of a World Cup with South Africa in 2007, he is certainly used to success, surely the ultimate accolade would be to join teammate Bryan Habana in Grogg form.
Wales
Jake Ball
Lock Jake Ball could be the archetypal Grogg, his huge red beard and scrum cap make him a player full of character and one which I'm sure Richard would love to start work on. However with just 5 caps to his name it could be a little early for Jake. I personally would love to see him Grogged at some point in the future and I'm sure he will be.
Liam Williams
Liam is another player popular amongst Welsh Grogg collectors. Again it is early days for Liam but the popular player will no doubt play himself into contention to be Grogged with a few more consistent performances for Wales.
Dan Biggar
Fly Half Dan Biggar is a player that divides opinion even amongst his own fans, however there is no doubting he is talented and has seen found some fine form with the Ospreys and has consistently been involved with the Welsh squads. Given his involvement in the successful 2013 Six Nations Championship, Dan is surely in line to be Grogged, although maybe not before Luke Chateris who has been in development for some time now.
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