DREAM TEAM
JAMES TIDESWELL, THE MOSELEY AND FORMER PLYMOUTH, LONDON IRISH, LONDON WELSH AND YORKSHIRE CARNEGIE PROP PICKS HIS BEST XV
1. Marcos Ayerza – Standout Premiership player. Toss-up with Alex Corbisiero but Ayerza had a great career with Leicester and Argentina and regularly dominated opponents.
2. Schalk Brits – Great feet and a living nightmare to defend against. Like having another back rower in your team with great hands as well. Still going strong for South Africa at 38!
3. Dan Cole – Been a consistent Premiership, England and Lions tighthead for ten years and his work-rate is terrific. Hits lots of rucks, gets turnovers and a superb technical scrummager.
4. Joe Launchbury – He’d just broken into the England side when London Welsh played Wasps and I remember his work-rate and leadership. Great lineout option and hits every other ruck.
5. Jonathan Mills – Epitomised the spirit we had at Welsh during our first season in the Premiership. Great team man who led from the front and caused mayhem at rucks.
6. Chris Hala’ufia – Put in some borderline legal tackles but carried hard and was a huge presence for London Irish. Always topped our carries and tackle charts.
7. Steffon Armitage – Never looked in the greatest shape but was the fittest forward at Irish. Phenomenal turnovers and work-rate. Still can’t believe he only won five England caps.
8. Billy Vunipola – Played against him when he was coming through at Wasps and you could see he’d be something special. When he doesn’t play, England miss his carries and work-rate.
9. Kahn Fotuali’i – Like having another forward on a team. Brilliant No.9 who had all the skills but also loved to smash people, won his share of turnovers and never took a backward step.
10. Owen Farrell – Another ‘up and comer’ when I played against him who’s gone on to achieve magnificent things. England tick along better when he’s playing and he’s a top kicker who reads the game well.
11. Sailosi Tagicakibau – Our top metremaker at Irish who beat more defenders and scored most tries. Lightning around the pitch with magic feet.
12. Seilala Mapusua – Fantastic skill level and a great player for Irish and Samoa. He and Elvis Seveali’i in midfield were worth the admission money alone.
13. Manu Tuilagi – Elvis was brilliant but I’ll go for Manu because he’s a big ball-carrier with great hands who’s unplayable when fit. He’ll be a huge player at this World Cup.
14. Jonathan Joseph – He has previous on the wing and I had to get him in my team. Unbelievable feet and always knew he’d be special.
15. Anthony Watson – Speed to burn and knows where the try-line is. Achieved great things in age group rugby and has done it with England and the Lions. And still only 25!