Dream Team: Ryan Lamb – Worcester and former Gloucester, London Irish, Northampton and Leicester fly-half

1. Trevor Woodman – I played with him when I was very young at Gloucester and he was just huge. Such a shame his career got cut short because he could have been a legend of the game. The true modern-day prop. Quick, strong and ripped to shreds.
2. Schalk Brits – An outstanding runner of the ball but his lineout throwing has improved massively since he’s gone to Saracens. A full-back hidden in a hooker suit.
3. Dan Cole – He’s been brilliant for Leicester and England and he’s easily the best tighthead in the world at the moment. Like a back-row on the ball and a beast at the scrum.
4. Bakkies Botha – He is just everywhere on the field carrying and smashing everything that moves. A phenomenal athlete.
5. Paul O’Connell – It is easy to see the presence he has on the field. Everyone seem to follow him and he galvanised every team he was in when I played him so he’s got to be in my team.
6. George Smith – I played against him when he was at Toulon and it was not fun. He read the game and tracked the ball so well. He slowed every single breakdown when we had the ball and we could not get going.
7. Steffon Armitage – Unbelievable player and a cracking ball carrier. I don’t think there are many players better than him on the floor. It’s ridiculous that he’s not playing for England!
8. Chris Hala’ufia – Can win games on his own. People question his tackling but he hits people so hard they just bounce of him and it looks worse than it is. Surprisingly he was the opposite at training.
9. Kahn Fotuali’i – He was brilliant when I was at Northamtpton. Can kick off both feet and always poses a threat around the breakdown whether in attack or defence.
10. Nick Evans – Jonny Wilkinson deserves more than a mention but Nick’s running ability in his prime made him the best No.10 around. Should have been with New Zealand at the World Cup in 2011.
11. James Simpson-Daniel – One of the most talented players I have ever played with. A true legend at Gloucester.
12. Seilala Mapusua – I’m certain he’d have been an All Black if he hadn’t chosen Samoa. Great passing the ball or crashing it and a joy to play with at Irish.
13. Manu Tuilagi – People forget he’s only 23. He’s an absolute machine and will be one of the best players in the world.
14. Sailosi Tagicakibau – A close call between him and Rupeni Caucaunibuca who is probably the best player I’ve played against but Sailosi gets the nod because of his consistency.
15. Matt Burke – Unbelievable player. I was young when I played him and he was very hard to kick to. Awesome counter attacker who was deceptively quick and glided around people.