Dream Team with Nick Auterac
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 13: Nick Auterac of Harlequins looks on during the Heineken Champions Cup Round 4 match between Harlequins and Ulster Rugby at Twickenham Stoop on December 13, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images)
Nick Auterac, the Edinburgh prop and former Saracens, Bath, Harlequins and Northampton player, chooses the best XV he has played with and against
1. Nick Auterac – I've got to back myself or no one else will. I'd also like the chance to play in this team so I'm throwing myself in as the first name on the team sheet.
2. Sam Matavesi – Solely for his value on the beers, he's always good for this and I need someone to lead the socials. Semi decent at rugby, too.
3. Ehren Painter – Thought I'd go for an all-Saints front row. Relatively young right now for a prop but a manmountain who has good technique and is immovable and destructive. I believe he has a massive future tearing apart scrums.
4. Steve Borthwick– Played with him at Sarries. A leader of men … and lineouts. His detail to all aspects of the game was pretty insane. It's no surprise to me he has done so well in coaching.
5. Maro Itoje – What else is there to say about the man that hasn't already been said? Respected throughout the rugby world for his ability. Also, he would get me invited to DJ Khaled's parties.
6. Sam Burgess – Played with him in a sadly short-lived career at Bath but was a good bloke who ran hard and hit hard. I think he could have been the best Union player in the world given half a chance.
7. Lewis Ludlam (capt) – Saints team-mate and my captain. Very passionate speaker and when he asked you to front up, you know he'd be leading the way. I reckon this guy would run through a brick wall if he needed to. Leaves nothing on the pitch and reminds me of an English Jacques Burger.
8. Billy Vunipola – Has such delicate hands for a massive bloke. Steamrollers opponents and yet can still throw 30 metre passes. Easily the best player on the pitch whenever he plays.
9. Danny Care – Although I think he'd rather have been a footballer, he always plays with a smile on his face and pulls off some ridiculous things most games. Skilful and smart.
10. Owen Farrell – Another team-mate from my time at Sarries. He controls games like no other and never seems to cave into the pressure of other teams. In fact, he seems to get better the more pressure there is on him and the team.
11. Taqele Naiyaravoro – Arecent team-mate at Saints and was I glad he was on my side! He could do things no other player in the Prem could do … 145kg and quick, he ran over people for fun.
12. Kyle Eastmond – Going for Kyle for the good days we had at Bath when we got to the Prem final. Unbelievable distributor of the ball C and a big reason our attack clicked that year.
13. Jonathan Joseph – Couldn't have Kyle without JJ. The two complemented each other like peas and carrots. An intelligent defender, a great distributor and a fast outside break – so fast his hairline couldn't even keep up!
14. Semesa Rokoduguni – Ahumble quiet guy that was equally good at running around or through defences. Again, a massive attacking weapon that made us click at Bath in the 2014/15 season.
15. Alex Goode – I'm going back to the Sarries days again with my final selection in this team. Alex always seemed to be in the right place at the right time and had every corner of the backfield covered. Had a fast snake-like run to make him lethal when he had the chance to counter attack.
