With nations arriving New Zealand over the weekend, <i>The National Sport</i> starts the countdown for the 2011 Rugby World Cup. Over the coming days we look at the teams competing; starting today with the minnows at the World Cup. New Zealand children play with a rugby ball on Narrow Neck Beach in Devonport near Auckland © Franck Fife / AFP In the first of a five-part series ahead of the first World Cup pool match between New Zealand and Tonga on Friday, we take a look at each team from minnows Namibia to the favourites the All Blacks. Today, the section looks at the US, World Cup mainstays, but with just two wins from all six previous tournaments, . One match the US will mark as a good chance of winning will be against Russia, who are one of a trio of teams from Eastern Europe. and have lofty ambitions of being a top-12 side by the next World Cup in 2015. . Arguably the second best African side, they have qualified for every World Cup since 1999, but have been on the receiving end of some notable hammerings, such as the 142-0 defeat to Australia in 2003. But, discount the minnows at your peril, while it would not be astute to pick out a top five of memorable shocks at a World Cup from this calibre of sides -- it just has not happened -- there are still some quality players in these squads. As <i>The National's</i> rugby writer Paul Radley notes in his comment piece on the , there is some talented players on display. Some such as the talented winger Takudzwa Ngwenya from the US can provide a moment of brilliance like his try against South Africa in 2007 when he made Bryan Habana look as quick as a club-level prop. Just don't expect to see an unusual result from this set of teams. <b>Five players to watch from the minnows<br/><br/>Todd Clever (United States) <br/><br/></b> Dubai Sevens patrons may remember the long-haired loose-forward from his time in the US Sevens side. He went on to play Super Rugby with the Golden Lions in South Africa. Now plies his trade with Suntory in Japan. <b><br/><br/>DTH van der Merwe (Canada) </b> Still only 25, yet the utility back can call on previous World Cup experience having played four matches at the 2007 tournament. In the intervening time he has been a key player in Canada's side on the World Sevens Series, and plays Magners League rugby for Glasgow. <b><br/><br/>Jacques Burger (Namibia) </b> The pick of many experts as the most influential player in the English Premiership, which he won with Saracens last season. The flanker would undoubtedly be a big star of the international game were he not from lowly Namibia, the team he will captain at the World Cup. <b><br/><br/>Davit Kubriashvili (Georgia) </b> The Georgians may be giving away a lot in terms of experience to the rest of the field at the World Cup, but one area where they always excel is the front row. Kubriashvili competes for a place with the great New Zealand prop Carl Hayman at Toulon - and regularly gets the nod. <b><br/><br/>Chris Wyles (United States) </b> A versatile, but albeit regular, performer in the English Premiership-winning Saracens side of the past season, suggesting he is not short of ability. The centre-come-wing has strong leadership credentials, and is a former captain of the US Sevens side. <strong>Tomorrow the section looks the long shots at the World Cup; Italy, Japan, Fiji, Tonga, Samoa and Scotland.<br/>Wednesday the hopefuls; Wales, Ireland and Argentina<br/>Thursday is the contenders; England, France and South Africa<br/>Friday is the favourites; Australia and New Zealand<br/> <br/></strong>