Dream Team: Andy Saull – Newcastle and former Saracens flanker

1. Census Johnston – For comedy value as much as anything. He once turned up to pre-season late claiming his wife had put his passport in the washing machine but when it he handed in the same passport at our first away game he said: ‘turns out I’ve got a good tumble dryer as well’.
2. Schalk Brits – He has raw talent and drive and always finds another gear when a game gets tough.
3. Soane Tonga’uiha – A huge man who’s impossible to stop and he’s played a part in some of my favourite grudge matches so far.
4. Danny Grewcock – I once found myself choking at the bottom of a ruck, only for David Flatman to get the referee to stop the game before I fell fully unconscious. When Danny asked David why he asked the ref to stop he said it was because I was choking, he supposedly replied ‘I know – I was choking him’. Intimidating guy.
5. Chris Jack – The best kick-off recipient I’ve ever seen. He used to take some sessions with the second team when he was injured and always had amazing training games and exercises for us.
6. Jacques Burger – Another training ground idol. The sheer disregard for his own health and the motivation to push himself to the point most men would quit, makes him an outstanding flanker.
7. David Pocock – I played against him at every stage in my career as a youngster and he had every component of a world class open side. Always one step ahead.
8. Sebastien Chabal – He’s the housewives’ favourite, so I had to put him in for the aura and image. He’s not a bad player either to be fair.
9. Neil de Kock – The nicest man in rugby union. He seems to have the perfect balance of work, family and friends. One of the best defensive 9s I’ve seen and unrivalled service.
10. Carlos Spencer – The things he pulled off on the pitch were entertaining for all to watch, not just those in the crowd.
11. Doug Howlett – Great player with an outstanding ability to find the line, he’d be the top try-scorer in this team without a doubt.
12. Nick Tompkins – One for the future. I played 7s, as well as a few ‘A’ League games, with him at Sarries. He has a touch of class I haven’t seen in many players.
13. Brian O’Driscoll – My lasting memory is when he managed to cover 40m in the time it took me to run 20m – I thought I had a clear run off an interception but before I knew it I’d been annihilated from the side.
14. Alesana Tuilagi – The  Premiership breathed a sigh of relief when he left – now he’s back I’m glad it’s on my team! I’m hoping he’s ot my training partner for pre-season contact though.
15. Thomas Castaignede – The cheeky Frenchman was my idol in my early career – class player who doesn’t take life too seriously and is always wearing a smile.
*This article was published in The Rugby Paper on June 22.