Dream Team: Simon Hammersley – Newcastle Falcons full-back

1. Rob Vickers – Known as Mr Reliable in the Falcons squad. A very good player who just scores too many tries as a loosehead prop to be left out of this team.
2. George McGuigan – The ultimate modern day hooker. Very powerful in the loose and a step to die for. He’ll do well at Leicester next season.
3. Kieran Brookes – As all tightheads should be, he is a great scrummager but what sets him apart is his strong ball carrying. Been on fine form for Northampton all season.
4. Sean Robinson – A student of the game with a very extensive knowledge of it. Loves a lineout and  jumps like a salmon in the air for us at Falcons.
5. Maro Itoje – The season of all seasons for the young Saracens star. Very effective in all aspects of the game and never seems to get fazed by the occasion.
6. Mark Wilson – He just never puts a foot wrong. One of the standout players at Newcastle all season long. Tough tackler and very dynamic in the loose.
7. Francois Louw – The Bath captain is tough as teak and simply immovable over the ball at the breakdown. Still being picked for South Africa despite playing in Europe tells you how good he is.
8. Josh Beaumont – We played for England Students together back in the day. He is a great athlete with the skills of a fly-half. Not surprised to see him called up by England earlier this year.
9. Mike Blair – It was great to play with the former Scotland scrum-half at Newcastle. He reads the game very well and always seems to be in the right place at the right time.
10. Morné Steyn – Another Springbok playing in Europe. He doesn’t miss too many kicks at goal and is also very good at creating space to unleash others around him.
11. Semesa Rokoduguni – The Fijian flyer has a great step to go with his aerial skills. Very hard to stop one on one and scores a lot of tries because of it.
12. Manu Tuilagi – When he’s fit he can create substantial go forward for his team whether that’s with Leicester or England. And he also now has the offloading game to put others away too.
13. Elliot Daly – The Wasps centre has a great outside break and a very good left peg. Very hard to defend against.
14. Joe Rokocoko – The former All Black  may be getting on a bit now but he still has pace to burn and always has so much time on the ball. Looked very good at Racing 92 this season.
15. Alex Goode – Named the Premiership player of the year for a reason. The Saracens full-back has great vision and can run, pass or kick – plus he always seems to pick the right option.