BYRON McGUIGAN, THE SALE SHARKS AND SCOTLAND WINGER CHOOSES THE BEST XV HE HAS PLAYED WITH AND AGAINST
1. Joe Marler – We’ve had a couple of run-ins in the past and I don’t think he likes me that much but he is a brilliant scrummager and annoying to play against so it would be good to be in the same team as him. I have a lot of respect for him despite everything that’s gone on. He’s that good, I just try and get into his head.
2. Luke Cowan-Dickie – I’ve included him for his playing ability – he’s a superb tackler, great over the ball and a prolific try-scorer – but also for the fact he’s a great lad off the field. One of the best at Call of Duty on the PlayStation and one of the loosest guys on a night out. Makes the mood in the room feel very easy.
3. Vincent Koch –A World Cup winner and an all-round nice guy. A tough player who works hard.
4. Lood de Jager – Has a great mentality. Is hard-working and super competitive and is a brilliant lineout caller. Really professional.
5. Courtney Lawes – Unbelievable tackler and a great skillset, plus he just looks like a tough bugger. Imagine those two in the lineout together?!
6. Dave Ewers – The grunt of the team. Does all the dirty, unseen work like the pick-andgoes, clear outs etc. An enormous man.
7. Tom Curry – My captain. He’s unbelievable over the ball and is the best openside in the world in my opinion. Off the field, he’s a great lad and always has a few good stories up his sleeve.
8. Dan du Preez – An unbelievable professional, great skillset and tough as nails. Always gets stuck in.
9. Faf de Klerk – It couldn’t be anyone else really, could it? He doesn’t know what he is doing half the time which makes him very unpredictable and hard to defend. He’s also the best defensive and box-kicking scrum-half in the world. An absolute energy giver day in and day out. I’ll even forgive him for his annoying laugh!
10. Finn Russell – I feel my good mate, AJ MacGinty, should be in there, but for the backline I am going for Finn. He’s the most laidback, chilled naturally-gifted player I’ve ever played with.
11. Makazole Mapimpi –I played with him in South Africa. Has come from nothing and has made a real success of himself. A prolific try-scorer.
12. Manu Tuilagi – An absolute force of nature. Since his brothers retired, he is the most intimidating player in world rugby. Tackles and runs so hard. Off the pitch he is the nicest guy. He spends 90 per cent of his time at Sale making everyone coffees – always with a smile on his face. Chess, ping pong, pool … he is also the most competitive person I’ve ever met.
13. Henry Slade – For his left boot and his ball-playing skills. Also to have his Mrs around, she is good value and will keep the morale high.
14. Damian Penaud – He was an absolute handful when I played against him in a World Cup friendly. Great footwork, pace and also has the ability to play 13. Defensively I think he is the best in the world. So good at getting interceptions.
15. Nehe Milner-Skudder – Played against him in New Zealand. When at his best, he was probably the best player I ever played against. Has great feet, skills and vision. Just an all-round threat.
