DREAM TEAM

1. Mako Vunipola – Possesses the skills of a back and raw Tongan power. Was a dead-cert England international from day one.

2. Andy Titterrell – A model pro, he lived slept and breathed rugby and it was no surprise that he ended up coaching. Technically he was a brilliant hooker and punched so far above his weight.

3. Colin Quigley – I saved his career multiple times but there’s not many better scrummagers in the game as I am sure most Championship props will testify. It probably comes as no surprise that he hated training but was fit for Friday and performed every Saturday.

4. Dean Schofield – A proper second row: big and physical, aggressive and great on the gas. He was ‘Squad Father’ to the younger lads. There aren’t many finer raconteurs.

5. Marco Wentzel – Lineout leader at Leeds who always threw to himself ! Why take a lineout with two hands when you can use one.

6. Mitch Lees – When he joined London Welsh his first fitness test was arguably the worst any professional rugby player could have done. Loves a carry. Loves a feed. Loves Call of Duty.

7. Jordy Reid – One hell of a player on the pitch, maybe even better on a social from the brief time we were at

Ealing together. Day two is better than day one.

8. Billy Vunipola – Exactly like his brother: skills yet built like a bull. Was a man at 15 years old. His collection of medals for club and country speak for themselves.

9. Craig Hampson – We came through together as kids from Leeds Carnegie. He’s maybe the most skilful player I’ve ever played with. A touch and pass legend.

10. Jimmy Gopperth – Arguably the best player to never get capped by New Zealand. He’s equally as good at 12 or 15. An allround good guy who’s scored a shedload of points everywhere he’s been.

11. Jonah Holmes – A weird, weird guy but definitely not slow! Shone for Leeds in the Champ and got himself a Premiership move and Wales caps. Looks like the head off the TV programme Art Attack.

12. Manu Tuilagi – Horrible to play against, fantastic to play with. Maybe the most powerful bloke I’ve ever seen. Again, I had the privilege of playing England age-group rugby with him.

13. Pete Lucock – The most underrated rugby player I’ve ever played with or against. Loves a big hit, Rugby League and Leeds United. Now doing well at Newcastle.

14. Seb Stegmann – Equally as weird as Jonah and too good looking for my liking. Scored a try every other game in London Welsh’s promotion-winning season of 2013/14.

15. Elliot Daly – Another supremely talented allround rugby player. Can play anywhere across the back line equally well and has a monster boot too.