DREAM TEAM

TOBY FREEMAN, THE FORMER EXETER, ORDIZIA, ROTHERHAM, NOTTINGHAM, CORNISH PIRATES & HARLEQUINS LOCK, CHOOSES THE BEST XV HE HAS PLAYED WITH OR AGAINST…

1. Marlen Walker – One of four very reliable table mates from my Cornish Pirates bus trip days. Unreal skillset, could bang, and became one of the best scrummagers in the league. Also tells people he could throw in. Honourable mention to Campese Ma'afu, my teammate at Nottingham, who was the biggest hitter I played with.

2. Sam Matavesi – Not enough superlatives for this top lad. So proud when he got the Premiership move and another from the reliable four. All-court game. Honourable mentions to Tom Cowan-Dickie (bus friend four) and Joannes Aierbe (Ordizia).

3. Christian Judge – Final one of the four. Loved scrummaging. Loved snacks. Loved threatening a scrap. Threatening. The work ethic on this man was unreal, and a social wouldn't be complete without his balancing act. No shock to see how well he adapted to Premiership rugby.

4. Brett Beukeboom – A class lineout operator. Undefendable preload and a true leader of men. Chris Bentley also hugely influential in my career.

5. Dan Montagu – Had a huge impact on my career during our time at Nottingham; I owe him a lot. He understood the game, and when he spoke, people listened. Thank God he met his wife who now dresses him. Very good at wrestling socials.

6. Brent Wilson – I doubt anyone in the game has ever had a bad word to say about this guy. A quiet leader who led Nottingham by example and actions. An absolute pleasure to call him skip.

7. Jack Clifford – Another top lad whose career was sadly cut short by injury. I owe him a lot as we shared our transition from the sport at the same time. Deserved a lot more caps than he got.

8. Alex Dombrandt – I'd never seen a bloke his size move as well as he did. One of the most gifted players that I felt privileged to share a locker room with. For such a talent, you'll not meet a more grounded bloke. Deserves every success that comes his way. Can't talk about No.8s without mentioning Richie Baxter. Gentleman and another class act that paved the way for those to follow at Chiefs.

9. Alex Day – Another Pirates team-mate. Hell of a tidy service on him, top drawer kicking game and one of the best blokes to have in a changing room. Honourable mention to Sean Romans of Nottingham: two very similar 9s.

10. Jimmy Gopperth – A cut above anyone else in the league when Newcastle were in the Champ, and I was in awe of his ability to run the show. Honourable mention to James McKinney – a class act from my time at Rotherham.

11. Vereniki Goneva – What a pleasure to share the pitch with this bloke at Quins. In my view, the best import the Premiership ever saw and the most gracious and humble guy you ever did meet. A true legend of the game and a gentleman.

12. Javiah Pohe – Class act, and one of the most destructive defenders I ever played with (at Nottingham). Also very good at wrestling socials.

13. Mark Fatialofa – Show me a bloke that wasn't intimidated by him on the field, and I'll show you a liar. Huge impact on me as a young pro at Chiefs. Took me under his wing.

14. Perico Martin – A sevens specialist that would do something every time he touched the ball. Pace like you'd never seen, and considering we couldn't speak to each other when we met at Ordizia, we became good mates. Josh Drauniniu (Chiefs) was another class player that could light up any field.

15. Toby “Tinny” May – The safest bloke under the high ball. Deceptively strong and would bang anyone that ran at him. A safe addition to any Pirates social and a top bloke that should've had a shot at Premiership rugby.