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O'Brien was one of Ireland's star players against the Aussies. David Davies/PA Wire/Press Association Images
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Choice cuts: do you agree with our Rugby World Cup team of the week?

We pick our best XV based on the last week of the tournament. Check it out and let us know if we’ve forgotten anyone.

ANOTHER WEEK, ANOTHER team of the week.

You’ll notice this week’s line-up is quite heavy on Ireland players, but I think you’ll excuse the excess given the circumstances.

Moreover, the Ireland display was arguably the performance of the tournament so far, so it deserves to be amply credited.

Anyway, here’s the cream of the crop from the past seven days:

1. Cian Healy (Ireland): The ex-Belvedere schoolboy was inspirational against the Aussies, answering some major questions that were asked of the Irish scrum in the process.

2. Rory Best (Ireland): Best may not have even been starting were it not for an injury to Jerry Flannery, but the Ulster player took the opportunity with aplomb, producing a vintage display, whether it came down to throwing in the line-out or scrummaging.

3. Mike Ross (Ireland): An Ireland player who has had his critics in the past, on Saturday he more than restored Declan Kidney’s faith in him, with a consummate display in the scrum that was crucial to Ireland’s success.

4 Quintin Geldenhuys (Italy): Geldenhuys was one of Italy’s brightest lights in their comprehensive win over Russia, contributing hugely to his team’s victory with numerous turnovers.

5. Paul O’Connell (Ireland): A couple of pundits foolishly indicated that O’Connell may be past his sell-by date. Saturday’s performance proved them wrong.

6. Sean O’Brien (Ireland): Finally last Saturday, O’Brien demonstrated the kind of form that won him the European Player of the Year in an Ireland jersey.

7. Julien Bonnaire (France): France produced what was at times an erratic display against Canada, however there was nothing erratic about Bonnaire’s efforts in the line-out.

8. Dimitri Basilaia (Georgia): Basilaia epitomised the strengths of a Georgian side who more than matched England for a significant portion of their encounter, and was rewarded for his efforts with an excellent try.

9. Andy Ellis (New Zealand): A solid performer in what was a solid performance from New Zealand, as they racked up 13 tries against a Japan team who produced the type of fish-out-of-water display that most critics anticipated.

(Lynne Cameron/PA Wire/Press Association Images)

10. Toby Flood (England): Flood has had some shaky performances in the past for England, and some people have doubted whether he is good enough to start, but he undoubtedly justified Martin Johnson’s decision to select him at the weekend, with a near-flawless display.

11. Bryan Habana (South Africa): Habana proved an influential presence in South Africa’s  87-0 routing of Namibia, which was capped off by a penalty try that made him South Africa’s all-time leading try scorer.

12. Shontayne Hape (England): Despite coming under severe criticism, particularly from Sunday Times writer Stephen Jones, just prior to the start of the World Cup, the Kiwi unexpectedly emerged as England’s best player against Georgia, registering two tries in the process.

13. Brian O’Driscoll (Ireland): The Ireland skipper may have lost the dash of his younger days, but his influence on games has hardly waned, particularly in defence, as was the case on Saturday.

14. James O’Connor (Australia): The only Aussie player to live up to his reputation against Ireland – if only for the magnificent try-saving tackle he made on Tommy Bowe.

15. Leigh Halfpenny (Wales): The youngster made the difference for Wales despite only coming on as a second-half substitute, as they narrowly beat a strong Samoa team. JPR Williams has since rightly called for his inclusion in the starting line-up.

Do you agree with our choices? Have your say in the comments section below.

Read: ‘I love Cluxton’s kicking technique’ – when The Score met Ross O’Carroll-Kelly>

Slideshow: Irish stars go back to school in Rotorua>

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