Craig Willis, the Ealing Trailfinders and former Newcastle fly-half, chooses the best XV he has played with or against…
1. Mako Vunipola – Played against him a couple of times for Newcastle and, notably, for Ealing when our scrum struggled to win any ball. He also runs a decent line around the breakdown. Facing him one-on-one is always tough.
2. George McGuigan – Try-scoring machine. He has a bit of a hitch-kick step in his armoury which is always good to see. Honorary mention goes to another prolific try-scoring hooker in Ealing legend Alun Walker.
3. Jon Welsh – Once attempted a chip-and-chase after making a line break against Bath. Also a good character off the pitch.
4. Glen Young – Played with him up at Newcastle. Went to Quins and is now at Edinburgh. Rapid, tall and an idiot off the pitch – in the nicest way.
5. James Connon – Was at Wasps, Northampton and Connacht and we played together at Ealing. Lineout guru and a real calming presence. Loves his rugby.
6. Mark Wilson – True professional. I was quite young when I first met him. He set the standards and you never wanted to let him down. Amachine on the pitch. Quality.
7. Jordy Reid – Never afraid to chuck his head in dark places. As a 10, he's someone you want on your team. Not one to confront at the breakdown if you can help it. Anod goes to current Ealing teammate, Simon Uzokwe, as well.
8. Rayn Smid – It was a toss-up between him and Nili Latu. So consistent, carves the Championship up every year. Recently made his 150th ap- pearance for Ealing, Another who I'm surprised hasn't had a Premiership opportunity.
9. Craig Hampson – My long-time half-back partner at Ealing. Always easy to play alongside and when he's on form, he's as good as I've played with. A fellow northerner as well.
10. Owen Farrell – The best 10 I have played against for his ability to see pictures and his time on the ball. Doesn't make errors and is someone I look up to.
11. Niki Goneva – Probably one of the best players I've played with. So chilled out.
I was quite jealous of how relaxed he was before a big game but he could still go out and be so good. For such a big man he could move so quick and his handling skills were next level.
12. Manu Tuilagi – I played against him two or three times. You dreaded him coming down your channel. If you slipped off him in a tackle, he had the skills to offload.
13. Chris Harris – A good mate off the pitch and is defensively one of the best in the business. Good crack off the pitch. Love seeing how he has come from nowhere to being a British &Irish Lion. Reads the game so quickly.
14. Sinoti Sinoti – Best footwork I've seen, could beat players for fun. At Falcons would flick the switch when he crossed the white line. In training, he really didn't care but in a match he would just turn it on. So physical.
15. Simon Hammersley – Simon from accounts! So calming at the back. Another guy I was envious for the fact he was so chilled out and would never get nervous. Such a free spirit. Used to glide past defenders every time he got the ball during his best days at Newcastle.
