The Rugby Paper

DREAMTEAM

- TOM SAVAGE, THE GLOUCESTER LOCK CHOOSES THE BEST XV HE HAS PLAYED WITH OR AGAINST... www.everything­4rugby.com

1. Richard Barrington - I played with Baz at Hartpury. He’s now at Saracens and has gone on to win the Premiershi­p and Champions Cup last season. He loves a singsong and a remix, too!

2. Richard Hibbard - I have spent the last two seasons drinking coffee and playing with Hibbs. He’s done it all and I have a massive respect for the way he plays the game.

3. John Afoa - John really helped build Gloucester’s game up front in the last couple of seasons. As a true All Black, he is the ultimate profession­al around training and puts in some big shifts week-in week-out.

4. Brad Thorn - Someone I have always enjoyed watching as a youngster and I was lucky enough to play against him a couple of years ago when he came to Leicester.

5. Alex Brown - He was awesome at the lineout but he wasn’t shy of a big hit, either. Great person to learn off as a youngster coming through the Gloucester set-up.

6. Samu Manoa - He was a very tough opponent when he was at Northampto­n and he always seemed to be a potent force in both attack and defence.

7.Tom Calladine - He is a good friend and he was my university housemate. He’s been going well in the Championsh­ip for the last few seasons at Rotherham. It wouldn’t surprise me if a Premiershi­p club picked him up.

8. Akapusi Qera - The Flying Fijian is surely one of the biggest hitters in the game. He’s a very handy ball carrier, too.

9. Greig Laidlaw - The current Scotland and Gloucester captain. He leads from the front with consistent performanc­es. Not bad off the tee, either!

10. Jonny Wilkinson - I played against him in a pre-season game against Toulon. It’s fair to say he ran the show. As he did for so many years.

11. Sinoti Sinoti - He’s been great for Newcastle for the last couple of seasons. I’m not sure how he does it but he seems to bust tackles with ease.

12. Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu - The former Gloucester and Samoan internatio­nal had an unbelievab­le skill set and footwork for a big unit. He would terrorise defences on his day.

13. Henry Trinder - He’s well overdue some luck! I’m looking forward to seeing him back fit and firing on all cylinders once he overcomes his knee injury.

14. James Simpson-Daniel - This man could literally create something from nothing. He was a joy to watch and play with.

15. Matt Evans - The Canadian and Cornish Pirates full-back was one of my captains at Hartpury College. He always seems to perform on the big stage.

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