Sam Matavesi, Northampton, Fiji and former Toulouse, Cornish Pirates, Plymouth Albion, Redruth and Camborne, hooker selects a XV based on the best he has played alongside or faced as an opponent…
1. George Porter – Back when he had long flowing locks, more than held his own in a struggling Plymouth team at a young age. Loved scrums and a good team man.
2. Tom Cowan-Dickie – Animal on the pitch and has everything to play at the highest level. Special mention to his brother, Luke, who I knew from college and was a special player, so great to see him as one of the best hookers in the world now
3. Manasa Saulo – If it wasn't for the Kava and his love of the island life, the big man could be at any club in the world. Doesn't move in the scrum and when Fiji have done well, he's been playing.
4. Courtney Lawes – For a big man his skills are unbelievable and he's not bad in defence either! Plymouth's Sean-Michael Stephen is unlucky to miss out.
5. Jerome Kaino – For a man who's won two World Cups he's as humble as they come. One of the best players in the modern era and a big reason Toulouse won the Top 14 in 2019.
6. David Pocock – Tried to move him off a ball at the breakdown once and it was like hitting concrete! Been at top of the game for so long and will go down as one of the best.
7. Dave Roberts – Along with Kevin Penrose, these guys were idols when I was growing up and got the chance to play with them both. Warriors on the pitch and inspiring the next generation at Camborne.
8. Sam Simmonds – The world is watching what he's doing now, but he was doing this for Plymouth and the Pirates long ago and should be doing it for England now. That's why the Championship is so important.
9. Antoine Dupont – Has absolutely everything, but what I like most about him is his confidence to try anything. No surprise to see what he's doing for France.
10. Dan Biggar – A born winner who leads us at the Saints. Watching him go about his business, you can see why he's one of the best in the world.
11. Josua Tuisova – Like most Fijians he's quiet, calm and relaxed off the pitch but when ‘The Bus' plays he turns into a different person. Someone you don't want to be tackled by and definitely don't want to be tackling!
12. Keni Fisilau – ‘King Keni' as we called him at Plymouth was the silent assassin who wrote people off in defence and couldn't pass in attack because his shoulders were wrecked and held together by tape! Real Albion legend.
13. Semi Radradra – Seen him making it look like men against boys at international level – a one-of-a-kind athlete who's now our captain with Fiji. Doesn't say much but when he speaks, EVERYONE listens.
14. Cheslin Kolbe – One of the best in the world, feet that could win Strictly and pace to match Usain Bolt. Star of the last World Cup.
15. Jack Nowell – Always nice to finish with a fellow Cornishman – from the Mennaye Field in Penzance to Truro College and now a British & Irish Lion. Great to see what Jack's achieved and he's making people in Cornwall want to play rugby.
