Dream Team: Aaron Penberthy – Jersey and former Cornish Pirates fly-half

1. Alan Paver – He’s very respected down at the Pirates for what he’s done for the club over the years. A great loosehead prop.
2. Tom Youngs – Leicester came for a pre-season friendly the season before last and he was very hard to tackle. I remember him running straight at me and knocking me back ten metres.
3. Dan Cole – Like Tom, it wasn’t enjoyable to have him run in my channel during that game.
4. Will Skelton – I played against the Wallaby man-mountain in a tournament in Japan when I was at Truro College. It was four years ago but he was already that big. Luckily I didn’t have to tackle him!
5. Ian Evans – A British and Irish Lion who is now at Bristol and as good a second row as any.
6. Tom Croft – Another one from that Leicester game who was just amazing – especially after coming back from the neck injury he had.
7. Phil Burgess – My old Pirates teammate is great over the ball but he’s also very quick. Has gone on to play for England Sevens where he’s doing very well.
8. Mark Bright – I’ve been really good friends with Mark since we played together at Redruth. He’s captaining London Scottish now and has made a name for himself with his try-scoring prowess.
9. Gavin Cattle – Like Alan, he’s well respected at the Pirates and he was great for me coming through the ranks. It was brilliant to have such an experienced player with me for my first season in the Championship.
10. Henry Slade – He’s a year younger than me but we were in the academy together and he’s worked his way to the top. Could have a shot at the World Cup, too.
11. George North – I played against him when he was at Llandovery College. He was pretty big already and a few months later he was scoring two tries at the Millennium against South Africa on his Test debut.
12. Manu Tuilagi – Faced him a few times on the academy circuit and his ability speaks for itself. A big unit in midfield. Hopefully he’ll be fit for the World Cup.
13. Jonathan Joseph – Bath came over for a pre-season game last year and he pretty much tore us apart by himself. Very elusive and very quick.
14. Semesa Rokoduguni – I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone else turn a player inside out within two metres like he did in that match.
15. Jack Nowell – I grew up with Jack and I know he now plays on the wing or centre but he was a full-back when we played at school together. Has made a big name for himself over the last 18 months and pushing for a World Cup place on the back of a good Six Nations.