Dream Team: Guy Thompson – Wasps and former Gloucester and Jersey flanker

1. Christian Califano – A French legend who was a great character in the changing room when I came through the ranks at Gloucester.
2. Andy Titterell – I’ll get some stick for picking one of our coaches at Wasps but he was at Gloucester too. Despite what everyone said, he didn’t let his size prevent him becoming a Lion in 2005.
3. Carl Hayman – He’s been a major player over the years and for a tighthead to get the recognition he did speaks volume.
4. Joe Launchbury – Never seems to make the wrong decision in games and always leads from the front. When he speaks everybody listens.
5. Brad Thorn – I don’t think there’s anything he hasn’t won whether that’s in Rugby Union or League. It was great to play against him last season when he was at Leicester.
6. Juan Smith – Horrible man to play against. He doesn’t miss many tackles and always puts his body on the line.
7. George Smith – One of the best opensides to have  played the game. He’s been a massive help for me.  Knows the breakdown inside out and sees what will happen long before it occurs.
8. Sergio Parrise – I came up against him in the Champions Cup play-off two seasons ago.  A fantastic player who’s been a stalwart for Stade Francais and Italy over the years.
9. Joe Simpson – Brilliant for us this season. Aside from his running ability he always talks on the pitch and has a go at the forwards if they’re not where they should – typical No.9!
10. Matt Giteau – He made such a difference off the bench in the European quarter-final last year. You could feel his aura and his teammates looked at him to deliver the goods – which he did.
11. James Simpson-Daniel – Scored multiple tries for Gloucester and some were far from easy. I love the fact that he went from the minis to the first team with only one club.
12. Mike Tindall – Ma’a Nonu gets dropped because of that shocker of a pass to Drew Mitchell in Toulon a few weeks back. Tinds gets the nod because of what he’d give on the pitch. He’d run through a brick wall if it meant one of his teammates could score.
13. Elliot Daly – Outstanding week-in week-out for Wasps and one of the most skilful players out there. Give him an inch and he’s gone.
14. Christian Wade – You just can’t give him any space. Can step his opposite wing in a phone box. Electric feet with very high top-end speed.
15. Charles Piutau – If he doesn’t side-step you he’ll go through you and that makes him very hard to defend against. Typifies Southern Hemisphere players in the sense that he’ll punish you at any given opportunity.