DREAMTEAM
MAX BODILLY, THE EALING TRAILFINDERS AND FORMER EXETER CHIEFS AND CORNISH PIRATES CENTRE, CHOOSES THE BEST XV HE HAS PLAYED WITH…
1. Alec Hepburn – Quality prop at Exeter who always wanted to be in the action.
Very powerful guy who wasn't afraid of a collision.
Thought he had the hands of a fly-half. Now deservedly a dual international.
2. Luke Cowan-Dickie – A Penzance & Newlyn mini junior. One of those you always knew would make it. As physical as they come but has a great skillset too.
Wants to be the best at everything he does, on and off the field. Did love playing with Jack Innard at Exeter, too.
3. Alan Paver – The king of Penzance. A guy I grew up watching for years and was lucky enough to play with for a season or two at Cornish Pirates while he transitioned into coaching. A genuine master of his craft/scrum nause.
4. Jonny Hill – Great lineout operator and good skillset for a big man. Joined Exeter injured but once fit quickly worked his way in and became a regular. Fancied himself as a decent kicker. Josh Caulfield could easily be in here, too.
5. Ed Holmes – Another out of Penzance & Newlyn minis. As powerful and athletic as a second row could be. Will work all day and do all the unseen work. Took his chance when he moved to Bristol. Does have his hands on backwards sometimes, though.
6. Dave Ewers – An absolute man-mountain. Gets through so much work on both sides of the ball and wins pretty much every collision he's in. Topped off by the fact he's a great bloke.
7. John Stevens – Played together since U7s at Penzance & Newlyn, and he hasn't changed a bit! Punches way above his weight and one to avoid in tackle drills. Always seems to be in the right place. Carlo Tizzano would be in the mix though for sure.
8. Sam Simmonds – Pow- erhouse. Has the speed to go round most backs and the strength to go through most forwards. Saw him work hard out on loan before becoming one of the Prem's best.
9. Stu Townsend – Played with some great 9s – Gav Cattle, Nic White, and Craig Hampson are all up there – but I had to go with Stu, the best hooker to ever play scrum-half. Great all-round 9 who loves a snipe from close range.
10. Joe Simmonds – Classy operator. Runs the game but then a big threat with ball in hand, and one of the best kickers around. No surprise to see him tearing up at Pau now. Have to mention Craig Willis and Steven Shingler from Ealing, also two great 10s.
11. Alex Cuthbert – Freak of an athlete. Great in the air, with speed and strength up there with any winger. Another that could easily go round or through you. A guy you wanted to get on the ball.
12. Tom Hendrickson – Grew up together from the age of five, and another who played at Penzance & Newlyn from U7s with John and I. Brings physicality on both sides of the ball and an absolute grafter. Comfortable at 12 or 13, and I've even seen him on the wing!
13. Henry Slade – Probably the best run/pass/kick game you'll find. Always seems to have time on the ball, kicks off both feet and has the footwork to match. Can play across the backline and never has a bad game.
14. Jack Nowell – My fifth and final Penzance & Newlyn youth pick. Doesn't have any weakness in his game. Always gets you on the front foot and somehow beats defenders when he definitely shouldn't. Always performed in the big games.
15. Santiago Cordero – Santi was a cheat code at times, and made defenders look silly regularly. Never seen the game look so easy for someone. Just box office at Sandy Park and someone everyone loved.
