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As the season reaches its finale, rugby correspondent Simon Thomas has turned his attention to the most influential players in the northern hemisphere.

He’s picked out the men who have made their mark either for club, country or both this term, choosing 15 players from each of the three professional leagues, the Aviva Premiership, the Guinness Pro12 and the French Top 14.

From European player of the year Nick Abendanon to Scarlets and Wales full-back Liam Williams, these are the men who have been the shining northern lights in 2014/15.

It’s a list that includes eight Welshman among a host of household names, but there are also a number of rising stars and relatively unknown talents that could have a big say when the World Cup kicks off in September.

Take a look at the most talented faces in the pictures below

Pictures: The 45 most influential players in the northern hemisphere

More: The definitive list of uncapped Welshmen who deserved to play for Wales

More: The men likely to make Wales' Rugby World Cup training squad

The Guinness Pro 12

Paul O’Connell - Superman continues to wear Paul O’Connell pyjamas. Player of the 2015 Six Nations at the grand old age of 35. What a warrior.

Liam Williams - Outstanding for Scarlets at full-back, the clamour for his inclusion in the Wales team was answered and it’s proved the right decision.

Jonny Gray - Excellent for Scotland, even during their torrid Six Nations, and a big player for Glasgow, the 21-year-old lock is a Lion in the making.

Alun Wyn Jones - Has set high standards throughout his career but this has been the season of his life. Immense for the Ospreys and immense for Wales.

Robbie Henshaw - Lived up to the hype. Hailed as the man to take up the midfield mantle from Brian O’Driscoll, the Connacht centre hasn’t disappointed

Dan Biggar - He’s done it for the Ospreys and he’s done it for Wales. The points machine from Swansea has matured into a genuine world class fly-half.

Tommy Bowe - The leading try scorer in Celtic League history, the former Ospreys winger remains as predatory as ever, both for Ulster and Ireland.

Josh Strauss - The big, bearded South African will be a great asset to Scotland when he qualifies on residency this autumn. Glasgow’s driving force at No 8.

(Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency)

Rhys Webb - The boy just can’t stop scoring. No fewer than 17 tries this season - five for Wales and 12 for the Ospreys. Give him a sniff and he’s just lethal.

CJ Stander - Hailing from farming stock in South Africa’s Western Cape, this back rower has ploughed an impressive furrow for Munster this term.

Sam Warburton - Arguably the best season of his career at Test level. Shone in the autumn internationals and hit even greater heights in Six Nations.

Craig Gilroy - The Belfast boy has led the way in the Pro12 try chart this term, touching down 11 times in the league for Ulster. Elusive, fast and deadly.

Justin Tipuric - Has the footballing skills that would put many a centre to shame, while his breakdown stats are right up there. A game changer.

Conor Murray - Has developed so much as a player since going on the 2013 Lions tour. A real force of nature at scrum-half for Munster and Ireland.

James Davies - Gets my vote as young player of the season. There can be no more room for Man of the Match awards on the Scarlet openside’s shelf.

The Aviva Premiership

Jonathan Joseph - The Bath centre has excelled in the Premiership and enjoyed a real breakthrough season for England. Such an exciting runner.

Billy Vunipola - Ball carriers are worth their weight in gold and the Saracens No 8 is one of the best, but he’s also got great offloading skills.

George Ford - It’s been a joy to watch the Bath outside-half weave his magic for club and country this season. Proof that size isn’t everything.

Nathan Hughes - Born in Fiji and brought on through by Auckland, the 23-year-old back rower is a mighty physical presence in the Wasps pack.

(Image: Action Images / Henry Browne)

Ben Youngs - Has firmly established himself as England’s first choice No 9 with an excellent Six Nations and is a key figure for Leicester.

Elliot Daly - The Wasps centre has the versatility, speed, side-step and long-range goal kicking that could make him the missing link for England.

Calum Clark - An abrasive flanker who has had his disciplinary problems, but has been Mr Consistent for Northampton this season.

Andy Goode - Still going strong at 35, the much-travelled Wasps fly-half is the season’s leading points scorer in the Premiership with 225.

Danny Cipriani - Saw his fine form for Sale rewarded with his first involvement in a Six Nations campaign since 2008. A mercurial talent.

Thomas Waldrom - The Kiwi-born Exeter No 8 leads the Premiership try chart this term with a remarkable 16 touchdowns. Thomas the Tank!

Samu Manoa - The USA pack powerhouse will be a real loss to Northampton when he heads for Toulon next season. Skills, pace and physicality.

Henry Slade - One of the most gifted play-makers in English rugby. He has proved a pivotal figure in Exeter’s exploits, either at fly-half or centre.

Sinoti Sinoti - The Samoan Test winger has made a big impression with Newcastle Falcons, swooping in for ten tries. Cousin to Jerry Collins.

Joe Simpson - A player who can turn a game on his own with a spot of individual brilliance. The Wasps No 9 is one of the quickest players around.

Maro Itoje - Arguably the most exciting youngster in English rugby. The Saracens second row is still only 20, but what a talent. Remember the name.

The French Top 14

Sergio Parisse - Took up his perennial position on the short-list for player of the Six Nations and has helped carry Stade Francais into Top 14 play-offs.

Matt Giteau - Little wonder Australia have changed their policy on picking overseas players, such has been Giteau’s box-of-tricks brilliance for Toulon.

(Image: PA Wire)

Benjamín Urdapilleta - The Argentine fly-half has been integral to unfancied Oyonnax becoming a Top 14 force, racking up 279 league points this term.

Chris Masoe - Now 35, but there are no signs of the powers of the teak-hard former All Blacks flanker waning. A talismanic figure in Toulon’s pack.

Jonathan Danty - It’s been a breakthrough season for the 22-year-old Stade Francais centre who is seen as a potential challenger to Mathieu Bastareaud.

Naipolioni Nalaga - The Fijian flier has a phenomenal strike-rate for Clermont Auvergne, so it’s little surprise Toulon have signed him up for next term.

Steffon Armitage - It looks increasingly unlikely that England will pick him for the World Cup, but he couldn’t have done much more in the Toulon back row.

(Image: Action Images / Andrew Boyers)

Maxime Medard - Known as the French Wolverine, the Toulouse full-back is one of his country’s great natural talents and he has been back to his best.

Leigh Halfpenny - Filling the kicking boots of Jonny Wilkinson at Toulon was a big challenge, but he’s managed it, becoming a European champion.

Jules Plisson - The gifted 23-year-old fly-half has expertly pulled the strings for title-chasing Stade Français, accumulating 183 points in the process.

Uini Atonio - If you are looking for players that have made an impact this season, then the 6ft 6ins, 24st La Rochelle man mountain prop has to be in there.

Carl Hayman - Still widely recognised as the world’s top tight-head. The 35-year-old former All Black is now a three times Euro champ with Toulon.

George Smith - Another example of ageless excellence. The Aussie flanker, now 34, has been outstanding in a losing Lyon team. World Cup recall?

Nick Abendanon - Third successive French-based Englishman to be named European Player of the Year. The ex-Bath full-back has flourished at Clermont.

Josua Tuisova - One to watch out for. The 21-year-old Fijian winger has lit up the Top 14 during the second half of the season with his blistering running.