Dream Team: Will Skinner – Harlequins flanker

1. Jason Leonard – You can’t really argue with the most capped forward in the history of the game. One of my very first games was with him when I was at Leicester and he was just immense.
2. Schalk Brits – He has really shown over the years that he is just a different type of hooker. He is more like a back row – great with ball in hand and scores plenty of tries.
3. Carl Hayman – The Kiwi prop is a beast of a man. Coming up against him is a terrifying prospect, not only in the scrum but also with ball in hand.
4. Martin Johnson – He was one of the major reasons I went to Leicester. He was able to bring young guys through the squad and we all learned a huge amount from him. A fantastic leader.
5. Ollie Kohn – My Quins teammate is one of the best lads in rugby. For an absolute beast of a man he is able to carry himself around the pitch exceptionally well and he is also very well-liked within the game.
6. Richard Hill – By a distance he was the most understated player in the world. He was outstanding for both Saracens and England throughout his career and his work rate on was second-to-none.
7. Thierry Dusautoir – The hardest player I faced. He is the immovable object and his all-round play is absolutely outstanding.
8. Sergio Parisse – His ability around the park is exceptional – it’s just a shame he is not a British Lion, as he would walk into the team!
9. Rob Howley – He is a legend of the Welsh game and scored a brilliant try for Wasps against Toulouse in the Heineken Cup that I will never forget.
10. Nick Evans – It is a great shame that he has only 16 caps for New Zealand, he deserves a huge amount more. He has been instrumental in Harlequins‘ rise since he came to the club. A quiet bloke who rips it up on the pitch.
11. Shane Williams – He was named IRB player a few years ago and was electric in his day.
12. Jamie Roberts – One of the biggest centres I have played against, he runs through brick walls. He is also excellent value on a night out.
13. Brian O’Driscoll – He has been incredible since he started playing rugby. The most impressive thing is how consistent he has been for so long.
14. Freddie Tuilagi – When I started playing   he put in the most incredible hit against Wasps and I will never forget it – he knocked himself out in the process.
15. Geordan Murphy – I played with him at Leicester and he had the most incredible football skills I have ever seen. It is a shame he has retired now, but I’m sure he will be able to utilise his skills brilliantly off the pitch.