1. Fabien Barcella – He was just an unbelievable scrummager. I played against Biarritz in one of my first European matches and he was terrifying. He was swigging Red Bull and muttering to himself – it really psyched me out.
2. Sebastien Bruno – I played against him for England against the Baa-Baas and that was a match I won’t forget. Another one who is great in the scrum – a typical French front-rower who will keep going at you all day long.
3. Phil Vickery – A real idol of mine when I was coming through. Another unbelievable scrummager who set a fantastic example on the pitch and in every day in training.
4. Simon Shaw – Just a top, top player who went on for years and years. He’s a fantastic bloke off the pitch as well, great value.
5. Nick Easter – Let’s stick him in the second row because he’ll hate that. He’s a great ball player and carrier and it would make a formidable second row.
6. James Haskell – We went to school together and he’s my best mate in rugby. Also a fantastic player who tackles all day long.
7. Serge Betsen – The fact that his face looks like a road map says it all. It’s basically made out of rubber because he’s had so many scars! He was 100 per cent committed every single moment he played.
8. Imanol Harinordoquy – He’s a huge physical presence and someone who leads by example every match. He’s all about the team.
9. Danny Care – A livewire of a scrum-half who makes things happen. You only have to look at how he’s playing at the moment to see how much talent he has.
10. Carlos Spencer – A mercurial fly-half and one of the very best on his day. He could so easily win you a game but he could just as easily lose you one. But I think that was part of his appeal, you never quite knew what he’d produce.
11. James Simpson-Daniel – Very unlucky with injuries but what a player. He has talent in abundance and he has been a great servant for Gloucester.
12. Luther Burrell – It’s great to see Luther getting his chance with England. He’s huge and puts in some monstrous hits but he’s so much more than an up and down centre. There’s real subtlety to his game and he’s got great hands.
13. Brian O’Driscoll – I was pretty much cleaning his boots when I was in the Leinster Academy but even then he was the ultimate professional and someone you couldn’t help admire. I’d have to make him captain.
14. Chris Ashton – Looks as if he’s back to his try-scoring best and proving class is permanent. One of the best finishers around who chang- ed the way wingers play.
15. Ben Foden – Another getting back to his best. Very classy player with a great engine and hopefully he’ll get his chance with England again.
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