DREAM TEAM

ROB KIRBY, THE RICHMOND AND FORMER ESHER AND SOUTHEND FULL-BACK, CHOOSES THE BEST XV HE’S PLAYED WITH OR AGAINST 1. Will GoodrickClarke – Young Richmond player who was incredibly strong, carried hard and had a work-rate second to none. Great bloke who’ll do good things at London Irish now. 2. Aleki Lutui – Played my first Championship match for Esher against Worcester aged 18 and this bloke came round the corner and pretty much knocked me out! Great servant to the game. 3. Craig Trenier – Richmond always have a solid front row and ‘Trendy’ fitted the mould. Never known anyone who loves scrummaging as much and a great bloke to have a beer with. 4. Brodie Retallick – I was an international student at Christchurch Boys High School for a few years and Brodie’s still a good mate. Was a massive bloke back then and has done great things for New Zealand. 5. Will Warden – ‘Wards’ and Brodie would make a great pairing and I can’t say enough about Will. No frills but he makes more cover tackles than a back and inspires through his work-rate. 6. Steven Luatua – The guy’s a superstar for Bristol and when they came up against Richmond and you saw his name on the sheet, you thought, ‘crikey!’. One of the best I’ve played against. 7. Jack Allcock – Absolute freak of a back row who poundfor-pound is up there with the best. Hits well above his weight, wins ball all over the place and is quick as well. Can do everything. 8. Jack Clifford – Came to Esher on loan and after seven or eight games he was straight into the Harlequins team and on to play for England. So sad he had to retire early but an incredible player. 9. Luc Jones – Me and ‘Jonesy’ have arguments all the time because of how competitive we both are, but he’s got an incredible competitive spirit and is a born winner. 10. Andy Goode – Strolled out to warmup for Worcester against Esher, dropped a couple of goals and went back in. Didn’t make a tackle or get tackled all game but ran the show. Good bloke, great player. 11. Charlie Walker – Another who was at Esher on loan and he’s just the quickest player I’ve seen. Unbelievable feet, could beat you in a phone box and still has a lot to offer with Ealing. 12. Mark Atkinson – Came to Esher from Wasps before really finding his feet with Bedford and Gloucester. Big bloke with a great skillset, shame he’s never had a crack with England. 13. Cam Mitchell – Tom Cheesman comes close but, like Will Warden, Cam is a tremendous leader of men who’s gritty and just cracks on and gets the job done. 14. Louis Lynagh – On loan at Richmond last year but showing his class for Quins now. Only young but a future star and it’ll be nice to look back and say, ‘I played with him’. 15. Mat Protheroe – Played against him when he was at Hartpury and wouldn’t be surprised to see him play for Wales. Not the biggest but strong with an unbelievable skillset and pace.