DREAM TEAM
HARRY SHEPPARD, THE LONDON SCOTTISH AND FORMER WASPS AND BEDFORD FLY-HALF, CHOOSES THE BEST XV OF PLAYERS HE HAS PLAYED WITH AND AGAINST
1. Sean McCarthy – Probably the best ball-playing prop I've seen. Had the skills of a halfback, was incredibly fit and gave so much to the team in the loose.
2. George Edgson – My housemate and a brilliant character. Very outspoken and never takes a backward step on the pitch. He'd never forgive me if I left him out.
3. Will Stuart – We were in academy together at Wasps and played at Blackheath a bit during our loan year there. He was incredibly big at 18 years old and has dominated people ever since.
4. Chris Vui – Played against him when Bristol were in the Championship. He popped up everywhere, carried hard and distributed well in midfield.
5. Mark Flanagan – Came to Bedford on the back of being at Sarries. Brilliant lineout operator and a great bloke to have in and around the squad.
6. Steve Luatua – Does a lot of the hard, gritty work. It always seemed to be at the bottom of a breakdown or making a turnover or a tackle. He made it very tough for a 10 to try and create holes in the defence.
7. Lewis Wynne – Was my captain at Scottish first time around and is now at Jersey Reds. Tough as nails and an absolute pest at the breakdown. He is ridiculously fit.
8. Mark Bright –I don't think he'd talk to me again if I left him out. An absolute Championship legend. It's incredible that he is still going strong well into his 40s and has just finished another season as top try-scorer in the Champ.
9. Lee Dickson – Was with me at Bedford and is possibly the fittest man I've met. An absolute relentless work-rate and has a brilliant ability at driving skills, not just his own but of those around him. The ultimate professional.
10. James Marshall – I was really impressed by him when London Irish were in the Champ. Was a classy player and made everything look effortless.
11. Dean Adamson – He's a try machine, I think he is on near 100 now for Bedford. Has the knack of being in the right place and right time but it happened too often for it just to be a coincidence.
12. Michael Le Bourgeois – Without a doubt the toughest player I have ever played with. At Bedford, he did things that very few others could do on the field and would take it upon himself to make things happen whatever the situation. Was just as good off the field as he was on it. Doesn't have an off switch.
13. Robbie Fergusson – Scotland Sevens captain and Mr Reliable. An incredible defender and Y all-round natural leader who always spoke very well.
14. Jason Harries – Welsh boy who was a housemate with myself and Robbie at Scottish. Very big winger who could play right across the backline and happened to pick up a lot of tries from inside balls off of me. Was fantastic in that season for us.
15. Rich Lane – The best fullback in the Championship for the last four to five years. Has incredible footwork and a ridiculous change of pace. Would consistently make things happen in games and it's great to see him getting a shot in the Premiership with Bristol.
