Dream Team: Karl Dickson – Harlequins scrum-half

1. Soane Tonga’uiha – I played with him at Bedford. He arrived in a No.13 jersey, which was a bit scary, but soon realised he was a loosehead. A great player who has gone far.
2. John Smit – One of the best hookers in the world and a great Springbok captain. Could also play prop – an unbelievable player.
3. Ben Alexander – Another I used to play with at Bedford. I never thought he would become a Wallaby considering he couldn’t make the Bedford team!
4. Olly Kohn – Great achievement to make your international debut at 31 and win a Grand Slam! I think we’re missing his presence on and off the pitch at Quins.
5. Paul O’Connell – He was instrumental for Munster last year and coming back after how many months off he played us off the park in the Heineken Cup. He is a great talent.
6. Stephen Ferris – He has obviously been hampered by injuries lately but when he is fit the guy is an unbelievable ball carrier and a great Irish player. Ulster and Ireland are certainly better sides with him involved.
7. Thierry Dusautoir – He is a mountain of a man and a great captain. He is a guy I try not to go near – it makes you think twice as a No.9 about nipping around that side of the scrum.
8. Sergio Parisse – Easy choice. He has been one of the best No.8s in the world, for Italy and Stade Francais. A great ball carrier and captain who is fantastic around the field.
9. Byron Kelleher – Played against him at Toulouse and he was a unit – you don’t get many 15-and-a-half stone scrum-halves. Had a great temperament and was a great guy off the field.
10. Nick Evans – Have played with him for five years and he’s still a great player. He helps my game massively and runs the show like no-one I’ve ever played with before. Hopefully it will be a long time until I have to play with another ten.
11. Ugo Monye – A British Lion who was in the room when I was picking the team! But he is a good lad off the pitch as well, so I’ll let him in.
12. Yannick Jauzion – An absolute unit of a man and when he is coming back inside on the switch, not a guy I want to tackle. Has an imposing combination of power, pace and guile – great all-round centre.
13. Manu Tuilagi – Unbelievable with ball in hand and as strong as they come – it normally takes two or three to take him down. Has done really well for England, young as he is still, and long may it continue.
14. George North – He was unbelievable for the Lions and has started to make a name for himself in the Premiership lately. Another unit of a man and very quick.
15. Mike Brown – Great team player.  Mike’s a top counter-attacker and who else would you want to have at the back securing that ball in the air?