DREAMTEAM
1. Mark Lilley – Solid scrummager who helped me so much in my early days. Now the scrum coach at Bath. Always knew he had an eye for coaching because he used to make me do binding techniques in the car on the way to training at Scottish!
2. David Paice – Uncompromising hooker, aggressive around the park and accurate at the lineout. Always on the pitch, never injured, which is special for his position.
3. Petrus du Plessis – One of the best scrummaging tightheads to ever grace the Premiership. Learnt a lot from him in his short stint at Irish.
4. James Phillips – Hates doing fitness but can play 80 minutes no problem! If you need a second row to cause havoc at lineout and maul, he’s your man. 5. Adam Preocanin –
Played with him at London Scottish and have never met someone who walks around with a book full of lineouts. Mr Reliable and a huge part in the year Scottish made the play-offs.
6. Chevvy Pennycook – One of the best No.6s I’ve met, can play across the back row. Massive engine, defends very well, great in the lineout and gives you a bit of everything.
7. Blair Cowan – London Irish legend who punches above his weight. He’s everywhere around the park, just relentless and an absolute pest of a player. Great bloke off the pitch.
8. Ofisa Treviranus – Another Irish legend. The main ball carrier and very popular with the fans. Gentle giant, but when you needed the gainline you could rely on him.
9. Faf de Klerk – One of the most annoying No.9s I have played against but probably the best in the world last season. Keeps you on toes at guard in defence and you always need to stay alert.
10. Owen Farrell – Seems to have a lot of time on the ball compared to everyone else. Uncompromising 10, solid in defence and has big game winning moments. One of the world’s best.
11. Ollie Hassell-Collins – Has pace to burn and knows his way to the try-line. Young upcoming English talent, who has already made a difference in the London Irish team.
12. David Massey – Didn’t end up playing full-time pro rugby but everyone in university rugby who played against knew of him. Tore up defences at UWE and on the 7s circuit with Apache. Should have played pro but decided to go travelling.
13. James Cordy Redden – At Ealing now on the wing, he has a cultured left foot and is solid in defence. Made a great centre paring with Massey at varsity level.
14. Joe Cokanasiga – Burst on to the England scene after playing in the Championship with London Irish. Big ball-carrying winger with loads of pace and solid under the high ball. Plenty more England caps to come.
15. Tommy Bell – Known as the ‘Kicking King’ and an elusive runner. Wins you games with that boot.