RWC hottest player

Kiwi/Italian Jayden Hayward heads list of RWC tournament 'hotties'

While his team failed to progress from New Zealand's pool at the Japan tournament, Hayward, 32, was voted 'favourite rugby hottie' in a poll conducted by the liverugbytickets.co.uk website.

"Excitement from the Rugby World Cup has definitely increased interest in the sport," said the site. "Not only from those wanting to learn the game, but those looking for a little eye-candy."

Born in Hawera, Hayward played provincial rugby for Taranaki, and represented Hurricanes, Highlanders and the Australian Western Force franchise in Super Rugby, before heading to Europe in 2014.