Dream Team: Rhys Oakley – Plymouth & former Bristol, Dragons, Leeds, Saints and Wales forward

1. Andrew Sheridan – Played with him at Bristol at the start of my career. It was his first year in the front row but he became an incredible player. Strongest man I’ve ever seen. Easily could have picked Gethin Jenkins or Soane Tonga’huia though.
2.Dylan Hartley – A controversial player but an incredible professional. Consistent performer and strong leader.
3.Rhys Thomas – A young prop who had it all. A solid scrummager, aggressive carrier and good skill set. Shame is career has been cut short with heart issues.
4.Gareth Archer – I worked for him when I was in the Bristol academy building marquees. The hardest man but an inspiration for me.
5.Courtney Lawes – A freak really. A giant guy with great athletic ability. He has become a really good lineout forward and has always been a very good tackler.
6.Olivier Magne – The former French star was one of my favourite players growing up. I played against him on my professional debut for Bristol against Montferannd in the Heineken Cup.
7.Hendrie Fourie – Weak in the gym but the strongest on the field. He would have played a lot more international rugby if it wasn’t for injury.
8.Samu Manoa – He is fast becoming one of the Premiership’s best. Laid back but does amazing things on the field. Biggest tackler and awesome guy.
9.Augustine Pichot – I played with the former Argentina captain at Bristol and he had a big impact on my career. A creative genius who could make things happen from nothing.
10.James Hook – Made a name for himself on the Sevens circuit with me and he won games single headedly at times. An exciting player whom fans love.
11.Shane Williams – I never played with Shane but faced him a few times. I loved watching him score so many times for Wales over the years, great step.
12.Seru Rabeni – Played with a lot of great No.12s in Jason little, Darren Gibson, Felipe Contepomi. But Seru was a huge hitter at Leeds. Good go forward and scared the opposition in defence.
13.Brian O’Driscoll – I made my international debut against Ireland and he was playing. He was immense, as he usually was, and he even stepped me off a scrum.
14.James Wilson – Less known as a winger but he can play anywhere in back line.  A great footballer with huge boot and skill set. Plus he’s a great bloke.
15.Percy Montgomery – Played with the Springboks legend – 171 tries in 240 first team starts – at the Dragons. He who could do things others couldn’t and he kicked the ball a mile.