Dream Team: Kelly Brown – Saracens, Scotland and former Borders back row

1. Cian Healy – Clearly spent a significant part of his life in the gym, strong, good in the set-piece and talented all-round. He needs to wear bigger kit though, sometimes looks as if it’s sprayed on!
2. Schalk Brits – He’s just a freak, the most naturally talented player I have played with, has a quick step and is incredibly explosive. Strong in the scrum and lineout, so talented it’s not even funny.
3. Carl Hayman – Monster of a man. Got a fantastic beard, tough as nails, solid in the set-piece and mobile round the pitch. He’s a good lad and a big-fan of beer, essential criteria when picking my XV.
4. Jason White – A back-row who could play lock, used to smash people in the contact. My first Scotland captain, a quiet man but it meant when he spoke, you listened.
5. Sebastien Chabal – When angry and up-for-it would cut most people in half. He also has a magnificent beard which gets him the nod.
6. Kieran Read – One of the best back-rows in the world right now. A good all-round player and scores a phenomenal number of tries for a loose-forward.
7. David Wallace – Quick and tough Ireland No.7. I played against him with Munster in my first season at the Borders, I was a 21 year-old naïve amateur and he taught me a lesson.
8. Sergio Parisse – Very skilful in the air, under the high ball and strong ball-carrier. He’s carried the hopes of a nation on his shoulders for 10 years. Never fails to stand out.
9. Gary Armstrong – An old-school Scot and my token Borders boy. I played with him in his final Borders game while still a student. He played like an extra back-rower.
10. Matt Giteau – A small man but punches above his weight. Has played successfully at 9, 10 and 12. He can execute the hardest skills very accurately under pressure, which is what it’s all about.
11. Jonah Lomu – I played against him once in Cardiff when he was past his best then. An iconic figure in the game, transformed rugby as a 19 year-old at the 1995 World Cup.
12. Jean de Villiers – Had a lot of injuries but now back with the Boks for the World Cup. Great player and leader.
13. Brian O’Driscoll – Hard to say something that hasn’t been said about him. He’s one of the best 13s ever, quick, great outside break, strong with ball-in-hand and smart defensively.
14. George North – A huge man, freakishly fast and powerful. He’s still young and has much to achieve in the game. Expect him to have an impact at the World Cup.
15. Israel Folau – He’s incredible in the air, fantastic under the high ball, really good defensively in the tackle and a very dangerous open-field runner.