Top 5: Best Rugby World Cup Debut Appearances of All Time

Only necessarily rivalled with the illustriousness of the British & Irish Lions, reaching the showpiece event after grinding out results for a club, and making the cut after months of gruelling training camps is certainly a commendable feat.

A select few players mark their first appearance at the Rugby World Cup with moments of magic. Inspired performances that see the stars rise to the occasion of the World Cup stage, and steal the show on the first run out at international rugby's grandest competition.

Here are five of those very such players, with honourable mentions going to England and Wales stars from the 2015 Rugby World Cup. Fullback Mike Brown and Winger Cory Allen get honourable nods, as Brown scored twice in England's 35-11 triumph over Fiji, and Allen wrapped up a hat-trick against Uruguay just two days later, with both matches marking each player's first RWC run-out.

1. Jonah Lomu: Ireland 19 - 43 New Zealand - 1995 Rugby World Cup

The late, great Jonah Lomu made his Rugby World Cup debut in 1995, after making just two prior appearances for the All Blacks. The unstoppable winger scored seven tries in five matches, as New Zealand reached the final to become eventual runners-up at the hands of South Africa.

Lomu's first Rugby World Cup match saw him score two tries against Ireland, in a breath-taking display of dominance from the All Blacks. Lomu was a formidable force along the left wing, he powered through two tackle attempts before skipping past the last Irish defender to score his first Rugby World Cup try after half an hour's play.

The iconic winger's second try came from a tap penalty, with a move straight from the training pitch. Three All Blacks huddled around the ball, early in the second half. They shipped a pass off to the fast-flowing back-line, with some slick offloading sending the ball into Lomu's hands. It was then head-down from there, as Lomu drove through the crumbling green wall to score.

A memorable victory for the All Blacks, made even more special as the match marked the arrival of Jonah Lomu to the world rugby stage. The Springboks took note, and were able to neutralise the threat in the final, however nothing takes away from this breakout world cup performance, from one of rugby's most mesmerising players.

A Rugby World Cup debut that has been long remembered for one moment of unadulterated speed. When the USA met South Africa in the final Pool A match of the 2007 Rugby World Cup, there were few who believed the result would be anything but a Springboks walkover victory.

The foregone conclusion came to fruition, however the match is best remembered for the World Cup debut of USA winger Takudzwa Ngwenya. The Zimbabwean-born star was also making his international debut for the Eagles, when he got the ball on the half way line following a United States counter-attack.

In a historic Rugby World Cup moment, Ngwenya stutter-stepped his way past legendary speedster Bryan Habana, and beat the soon-to-be Rugby World Cup winner on the outside with raw speed. And after outpacing the man who was heralded as the world's fastest rugby player, nobody was catching Ngwenya on his way through to the try-line.

The famous score was subsequently awarded the Try of the Year accolade for 2007, as rugby fans and pundits alike were shocked to see Habana beaten for speed. Habana hype was at an all-time high in 2007, just five months before Ngwenya's unforgettable debut, Habana had taken the headlines by famously racing against a Cheetah, and was a certifiable mega-star in the rugby sphere.

After a year's delay due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the '2021' Rugby World Cup finally kicked off in New Zealand, in October 2022. The Red Roses patiently bided their time, before they set out on their journey which would take them all the way to the Rugby World Cup Final, and a dramatic defeat to the hosts.

However, over a month before England's finale against the Black Ferns, Simon Middleton's side took on Fiji, with Claudia MacDonald lining up on the left wing to make her first Rugby World Cup appearance. MacDonald had a phenomenal game in the number 11 jersey, as she scored four tries in a one-way demolition of the Fijians.

MacDonald set the tempo with the match's opening try, crossing over for her first Rugby World Cup score after just five minutes. That must have certainly shook any pre-match nerves, as the the winger hit cruise control, running in a hat-trick after the second half re-start. The then Wasps Women star crossed over for tries after 56, 70 and 76 minutes, finding top gear against the tiring Fijian players.

MacDonald was unable to grab another try for the rest of the 2021 Rugby World Cup, with the now Exeter Chiefs player's four tries placing her joint-sixth in the overall try-scoring charts. A truly one of a kind World Cup debut for MacDonald, and she will be hoping to replicate the efforts when England host the Rugby World Cup in 2025.

The fabled 'Brighton Miracle' of 2015, provided a fairy-tale ending to the turbulent international career of Ayumu Goromaru. The Japanease fullback had a difficult time breaking into the Brave Blossoms squad throughout his career, despite making his test match debut in 2005, Goromaru had to wait a full decade before his first run out at the Rugby World Cup.

Goromaru was overlooked by former Japan Head Coaches Jean-Pierre Elissalde and John Kirwan, and left out of the 2007 and 2011 Rugby World Cup squads. After honing his craft for 10 years, it was Eddie Jones who gave the veteran the opportunity to shine on the world's stage. Goromaru's first World Cup test was the Pool B opener against the titanic Springboks, yet he rose to the challenge.

Goromaru was instrumental in keeping Japan in this now legendary match, he kicked five penalties throughout the contest to keep his side within touching distance of the Boks. Goromaru also slotted the conversion after his captain Michael Leitch drove over to score, before taking centre stage to keep the Brave Blossom's hopes alive.

With little over 10 minutes remaining, Goromaru offered support to the line-break of Kotaro Matsushima. The winger found his fullback, with Goromaru racing off through a sea of gold and green, to narrow the deficit to just one score, and set up the unforgettable final moments of Japan's historic victory.

Pressure was mounting on England in their first Rugby World Cup match since they crumbled under the pressure of the Springboks in the 2007 Rugby World Cup Final. Argentina had established a 9-8 lead via the boots of Felipe Contepomi and Martin Rodriguez, and Los Pumas maintained relentless pressure against the English defence.

The 2003 heroes of yester-year were starting to pass their prime, as Jonny Wilkinson did his best efforts to keep England in the match, yet missed five out of seven penalty attempts from the tee. Thankfully, The Argentine's had equally poor form from the boot, with Rodriguez taking off kicking duties after missing five attempts for his side.

With just one point separating a proving-ground match for England, Martin Johnson looked to his bench to usher in a new era. Fresh faced 21-year-old Ben Youngs lived up to his surname, as he was flung on at scrum half for Richard Wigglesworth after 50 minutes. The young Leicester Tigers man took the match by the scruff of it's neck, and began orchestrating attacking lines with the experienced England forwards.

Then with 12 minutes left to play, England had forced Argentina back to their try-line with short pick and drives. Youngs took the ball from the back of a breakdown, faked a pass, and went through a gap in a style that is all too now synonymous with England's all-time most capped player. A fantastic way to mark a Rugby World Cup debut, as Young's rescued the match for England when they needed it the most.