DAN LEE, THE TAUNTON AND FORMER CREDITON, EXETER, PLYMOUTH AND CORNISH PIRATES BACK ROW, CHOOSES THE BEST XV HE HAS PLAYED WITH OR AGAINST…
1. Jake Woolmore – Completely solid scrum operator who served his time in the lower leagues and is now doing brilliantly for Bristol. A bloke you know will always give 100 per cent.
2. Sam Matavesi – Played on and off with him since I was 18 and he’ll always bring x-factor. Just a good, natural rugby player who’s now flourishing at hooker for Northampton.
3. Ben Franks – Played against him twice when London Irish were in the Championship and he certainly made his presence felt. Right up there among the world’s best.
4. Brett Beukeboom – Played with him at Plymouth and Cornish Pirates and he’s a quiet, selfless, hard-working bloke who puts his body on the line and gives everything for the team.
5. Will James – In my first A-League game for Exeter against Gloucester he cleared me out of a ruck and made me feel like a boy in a man’s game. Great servant for Gloucester.
6. Dave Ewers – Played with Dave at Ivybridge College and for me he’s the standout six in the Premiership. Gentle giant off it but nothing but raw power and ferocity on it.
7. Charlie Walker-Blair – Taunton lad who had stints at Chiefs and Pirates and would have been a regular in the Premiership but for injury. Big, strong and so powerful over the ball.
8. Nick Williams – Plymouth played Aironi in pre-season and Nick was just so big and powerful that we couldn’t cope with him. Went on to be a standout for Ulster and Cardiff.
9. Stu Townsend – Devon boy who I played with at Taunton and has everything you want from a scrum-half. Kicking and passing are brilliant and he brings that bit of edge.
10. Andy Goode – I played No.7 for Plymouth against Worcester and Graham Dawe told me to go after him. Never even got near him all game, let alone lay a finger on the bloke!
11. Sinoti Sinoti – This guy is so exciting and a real crowd pleaser. No fun playing against him but to be so powerful and have such good feet is a deadly combination.
12. Sam Hill – Played all my junior rugby with him at Crediton and Ivybridge College and he’s a bloke who E always gives 100 per cent. When he’s on song there aren’t many better ball-carriers or defenders.
13. Keni Fisilau – Former Plymouth teammate and one bloke you definitely didn’t want to be playing against. Put in bonecrunching hits but his footwork was phenomenal as well.
14. Jack Nowell – Played with and against Jack and even as a boy you could see he was a cut above the rest. Quiet bloke but his drive and what he’s achieved in the game speaks for itself.
15. Matt Evans – Pirates legend and some of the tries he scored down there showed his sheer pace and power. Played in World Cups for Canada and always gave his best.
