DREAMTEAM
1. Marcos Ayerza – Was rated the best scrummaging prop in the Premiership and arguably in world rugby for many years. Great player who could almost guarantee setpiece success every time.
2. Agustin Creevy – Powerful hooker who leads by example. He is like an extra back row on the pitch as he is very effective at winning turnovers at the breakdown.
3. Dan Cole – Has been and still is a great servant for Leicester Tigers and England. A brutally physical prop who is strong around the park and in the scrum.
4. Maro Itoje – Probably the most difficult player to play against and a perfect man to have in any dream team. Maro is an all-round player: athletic, smart and leads by example in all facets of the game.
5. Paul Willemse – Paul is a big, brutish second row who is very effective in the lineout and can get his team over the gain-line. Puts in big tackles around the park and fits the role of ‘enforcer’.
6. Ted Hill – Very talented young player for Worcester. Ted is fast, strong and has great leadership qualities. I expect big things from him, including many international caps.
7. Sam Lewis –
The complete back row – strong tackler, fast, good at the breakdown and has great ball handling skills. He is a player with lots of rugby intelligence and a great team guy.
8. Cornell du Preez – Strong ball carrier who can get you over the gain-line. He is also a good link forward who has the subtle skill to put players away around him.
9. Faf de Klerk – The type of ‘in your face’ No.9 that many would want in their team. Great
eye for space, a threat around the breakdown with his sniping runs and has the ability to manage the game superbly with his quality kicking and pass game.
10. Danny Cipriani – Opportunistic player who possesses one of the best skill-sets in the modern game. Very smart player who at any moment could set the game alight.
11. Josh Adams – Powerful winger whom I’ve had the pleasure of playing many games with. His high work-rate and deadly finishing has made him one of the top players for Wales.
12. Ryan Mills – International quality player who has been very unlucky not to be capped. Has excellent skill coupled a with a strong offloading game.
Reads the game extremely well.
13. Bundee Aki – Power centre who week-in, weekout produces quality performances for Connacht and Ireland. Threat in attack with his strong runs and in defence with big hits.
14. Bryce Heem – Has the ability to make something out of nothing. Strength and footwork allow him to shrug off defenders almost effortlessly. Great player to play with.
15. Chris Pennell – Very talented full-back who has produced so many good performances for Worcester. Injects speed into the attack line and is secure under the high ball. Deservedly capped by England. I have a lot of respect for Chris.