1. Soane Tonga’uiha
Gentle giant. Carried, tackled and ran, but an absolute animal as well. Brilliant bloke who I once saw make an interception and almost go the length.
2. Dylan Hartley
Rugby-wise he leads from the front. Great captain who can’t do enough for you and expects a lot in return. Gets unfairlycriticised.
3. Carl Hayman
Multi-capped Kiwi whose scrummaging was on a different level. Came to Newcastle as a big name and took the club to a different level.
4. Courtney Lawes
Raw athlete who just used to hit people, but adapted his game and is now world-class. Great carrier and superb lineout man.
5.Victor Matfield
Played against him for England and he was always a big name that popped up in our analysis. Was the glue of a great Springbok pack alongside Bakkies Botha.
6. Samu Manoa
Came to Northampton as an American nobody but left us as a legend. Phenomenal athlete and what he could do in attack and defence was unique.
7. Willem Alberts
Big ball-carrying No.7 who was unreal. An absolute beast who pretty much ran over the entire England team on our three-match tour of South Africa in 2012.
8. Louis Picamoles
He ran over me six times playing for France, so imagine how pleased I was when he joined Saints! Incredibly strong from a standing start and amazing sleight of hand.
9. Aaron Smith
Danny Care runs him close and both have great kicking and running games, but Smith’s buzz, bounce and ability to change a game just gives him the edge… for now!
10. Jonny Wilkinson
Hardest working bloke I ever met. I was a young, up-and-coming No.9 but his work ethic changed my career. For a 10 to hit as hard as he did was phenomenal.
11. Chris Ashton
The arch poacher was the fittest bloke I ever saw. Tracked the ball better than anyone and a brilliant finisher.
12. Owen Farrell
Came into an England camp aged 20 and ran the show straight away. Has led teams from an early age and is now one of the best players in the world.
13. Brian O’Driscoll
Pains me to say it, but tore Saints apart in the second-half of the 2011 Heineken Cup final. One of the true greats who changed the face of Irish rugby.
14. George North
Different specimen of a wing who could run round you, over you or step you. Brings tremendous energy and has achieved so much for a young man.
15. Matt Burke
Class act who embodied everything good about rugby. Was always a shining light at Newcastle when it came to goal-kicking, tackling and our attack.
